A debate about

environmental
problems

GRAMMAR

LEVEL NUMBER LANGUAGE

Intermediate B1_1021X_EN English
Goals

■ Practise debating
environmental problems and
disasters
■ Practise talking about
existing environmental
problems and discuss
potential solutions
■ Learn vocabulary for types of
energy

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The stresses faced by the environment
are some of the most pressing issues in
modern times.

What are these issues and how can we

find solutions for them?

Let‘s practise debating environmental

problems.

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Warm up discussion

What are some well-known

environmental problems
affecting the planet?

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Environmental problems

What different environmental problems could affect each of the

below?

ocean

forest The Arctic

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 environmental problems

Environmental problems affect a range of environments including land, water

and air.

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 renewable energies

Renewable energies can help us to limit our reliance on oil, coal and gas.

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 hydropower

Dams can harness the potential of hydropower.

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 wind energy

Wind energy can be gathered with the assistance of turbines.

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 solar energy

John decided to invest in solar energy by installing panels on the roof of his
house.

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 nuclear energy

There are many differing opinions on the viability of nuclear energy.

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Sentences slide

Energy from the sun can be converted to

solar energy.

Significant amounts of electricity can be

generated with hydropower.

Renewable energy is beneficial for the

environment.

The planet is faced with various

environmental problems.

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Sentences slide

Nuclear energy is power released from a

nuclear reaction.

Solar energy can be collected using panels

which absorb the rays of the sun.

Wind energy can be harnessed with the

aid of wind turbines.

Renewable energy can be a solution to

these environmental issues.

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Renewable energy

Renewable energy can be collected from a range of

natural resources – wind, sunlight, rain, tides and waves.
Traditional energy sources such as oil, coal and gas are
limited resources, and when they are taken from the
Earth, they can contribute to global warming. Extracting
these minerals can cause further environmental
problems.
Solar energy uses the rays of the sun to produce hot
water, heat homes and produce electricity. One benefit of
solar energy is that it is the cleanest form of power. Solar
panels can be installed on homes and are easy to install,
requiring low maintenance.
Wind energy collects power from the flow of air. Wind
farms consist of many wind turbines which generate
power. Many countries use wind power to supply their
electrical needs. Denmark generates 40% of its electricity
supply through wind power.

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Renewable energy

Talk to the teacher about each of the forms of renewable energy

below.

Solar energy

Wind energy

Hydropower

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 climate change

The majority of scientists believe that the Earth‘s climate is changing as a result
of human activity – this process is called climate change.

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 global warming

Global warming is changing the planet!

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 ozone layer

There is an ever-expanding hole in the ozone layer.

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 ecological impact

Human development has had an ecological impact on the planet.

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 carbon footprint

One step we can take is to lower our carbon footprint.

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Sentences slide

Some consequences of man-made climate

change include an increase of extreme
weather conditions.

Greenhouse gas emissions are

contributing to global warming.

Logging has had a severe ecological

impact on the Amazon.

Carefully considering your transport

options is one way of lowering your
carbon footprint.

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Talk to the teacher

What are some of the signs of climate change?

How do we know it is occurring?

1
Talk about the signs of climate change – what evidence is there that it is
occurring?

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Climate change

What are some of the causes of climate change?

Write a list.

1
Talk to the teacher about the signs of climate change – what evidence is
there that it is occurring?

2 Write a list of reasons why climate change is occurring.

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Climate change

What steps can we take together to slow the development of climate

change?

1
Talk to the teacher about the signs
of climate change – what evidence
is there that it is occurring?

2
Write a list of reasons why
climate change is occurring.

3
Debate about what can be done to
slow the development of climate
change .

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What’s your opinion?

Everyone has an opinion about climate change.

It is a topic that people can get very passionate about.
Read the opinions below. Which do you agree with?

Climate change is occurring, and is the most significant

threat to human survival on the planet.

Climate change is occurring but not because of human

activity.

Climate change is a myth.

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Your carbon footprint

Think about your own lifestyle.

What choices or activities do you make which contribute to your
own carbon footprint? Try to write in full sentences using
vocabulary from the lesson.

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 environmental policies

The government issued new environmental policies to preserve the region.

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 green cars

The company‘s new green cars run solely on electricity.

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 organic products

Purchasing organic products is one way to lessen your impact on the

environment.

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Sentences slide

Green cars will decrease our reliance on

oil and gas.

I try to buy organic products as they are

healthier and guilt free.

The government’s environmental policies

were a great success for the reef.

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Agree or disagree?

Read the dialogue below about organic products with your teacher.
Who do you agree with?

Organic products cost me more, but I love to know that I’m eating healthier and
using less nasty chemicals on my body.

Don’t believe everything you read on a package. I think organic companies are one
big rip-off. How do you know your vegetables haven’t been sprayed with
something?

There are certifications and guidelines that organic products need to achieve to be
labelled organic. I feel comfortable knowing my money is going to a good cause!

If you can taste the difference, then it is worth it.

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Organic products

Do you think it is worth paying

more for organic products?

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Discussing problems

What do you think is the most serious environmental problem faced by the
planet?
Discuss the problem using the sentence starters below.

The biggest environmental problem facing the planet is…

This problem
One reason this Some solutions
needs to be
is such a big to this problem
resolved
problem is that… include…
because…

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 Role play

You are the the Mayor of a town in your region.

Make a statement about the environmental
policies which you plan to implement.

What do you think the priorities are?

What solutions would you implement to limit

environmental problems?

Below are some examples to help you…

Our residents should have We are investing in Too many cars in our
We need to protect our more choice of
many forms of town our reliant on oil
forests. Therefore… environmentally friendly
products… alternative energy… and petrol…

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Reflect on the goals

Go back to the second slide of the lesson and check

if you have achieved all the goals of the lesson.

yes no

_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________

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Reflect on this lesson

Think about everything you have seen in this lesson.

What were the most difficult activities or words? The easiest?

+ _______________________________
_______________________________

+ _______________________________
_______________________________

– _______________________________
_______________________________

– _______________________________
_______________________________
If you have time, go over
the most difficult slides again

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Homework

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Fill the gaps

organic
1. _______________ energy is power harnessed from
products
the sun.
2. Dams can be used to generate electricity using solar
_______________.
ecological
3. The planet is facing a range of _______________. impact
4. 40% of Denmark’s electricity is generated using
_______________. wind energy
5. Consumers can relieve environmental pressure carbon
by purchasing _______________. footprint
6. Environmentally aware drivers can invest in
green cars
_______________.
7. The use of traditional energy sources contributes hydropower
to _______________.
8. Mines, dams and other projects have a severe global warming
______________ on the environment.
9. You would do well to lessen your _______________. environmental
problems

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Email your solutions

Write an email to your friend about one of the potential solutions

to environmental problems covered in today’s lesson.

– □ ×

To: _______________

Subject: Environmental solutions

Hi _______________

I had an interesting English class today. The topic was…

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40 www.lingoda.com
Homework activity p. 38.
solar, 2. hydropower, 3. environmental problems, 4. wind energy 5. organic products, 6.
green cars, 7. global warming, 8. ecological impact, 9. carbon footprint
Homework answer key
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