Insert (Source Material)
This insert contains four sources (Source 1 to Source 4). You may annotate this insert and use
the blank spaces for planning. Do not write your answers on the insert.
Source 1
The United Nations has a sustainable development goal to take urgent action to combat climate
change and its impacts. There has been some progress globally, with almost all countries
signing up to international agreements. However, greenhouse gas emissions continue to
rise. In 2021, global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reached a record high of 36.3 billion
tonnes. The global average temperature is already about 1.1°C higher than it was 150 years
ago.
Figure: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector. This chart shows the proportion of global
emissions produced by different sectors of human activity (adapted from IPCC data). The
largest share of emissions comes from generating electricity and heat, followed closely by
agriculture and land use. Other significant sources include industry, transport, and the burning of
fuels in buildings and other energy uses.
Adapted from a United Nations climate change report, 2022.
Source 2
We are an environmental charity campaigning for urgent action on climate change.
Heatwaves, wildfires, and floods are happening more often, and they are destroying homes and
livelihoods. People in developing countries suffer the most from these disasters, even though
rich countries caused most of the pollution. This is a great injustice. We must have
compassion for our planet and for the poorest communities. We cannot ignore their
struggle to survive. Protecting the environment means protecting ourselves and future
generations.
Our leaders talk about climate change but do far too little. No one is doing enough to fight
this crisis. It is time for us to demand real change. Protest for climate action. Push
governments to cut carbon emissions and hold big polluters accountable. Support campaigns to
plant trees, invest in renewable energy, and help those affected by extreme weather. When
people join together and raise their voices, extraordinary things can happen. Together, we can
build a greener future where everyone can thrive.
Adapted from an environmental charity website, accessed in 2023.
Source 3: A school student’s research project
I wanted to learn about action against climate change in my community. To get some ideas, I
decided to talk to the manager of a local renewable energy project in my city. Mr Chen was
enthusiastic about the success of his work and gave me permission to do the case study.
The interview took place at a community center where the project runs workshops. There were
people setting up equipment nearby, which sometimes made it difficult to hear our conversation.
At times, some of the volunteers could also listen in on what we were saying. I wrote some
notes afterwards to help me remember everything that was said.
Mr Chen said: “We do not want to just lecture people about climate change. Let’s help
them find solutions that also improve their lives. We show families how saving energy
and reducing waste can save them money and make their homes more comfortable. Most
people are willing to change their habits to help the environment.”
From a school research project in Asia, 2022.
Source 4: A radio debate about how to fight climate
change
Lena: There is a revolution in clean energy. My mother is an engineer, and she says that new
technologies can solve the climate crisis so that everyone can prosper. New inventions like
advanced solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles can drastically cut emissions. We
even have machines that can remove carbon dioxide from the air. I believe we don’t need to
give up our modern lifestyle – innovation will allow us to have clean growth. I think climate
change is a problem we can fix by being smart. Some activists say we must consume less and
slow down the economy, but that approach is wrong. If we focus on technology and
efficiency, we can solve this issue without making life harder for ordinary people. It’s
unfair to expect people to change their whole way of life. Inste ad, we should invest in
science and trust human creativity. Climate change can be stopped by innovation, and everyone
should have the right to a modern life powered by clean energy.
Dev: Relying on high-tech fixes alone is not the solution to climate change. Industrial society
is still destroying the environment. For example, mining for all the materials for those “clean”
machines can damage ecosystems, and cutting down forests for development fuels global
warming. We need to address the root cause: our unsustainable consumption. Technology
can help, but it cannot undo the harm if we continue to pollute and over-consume. We need a
cleaner, greener approach that respects nature and works with communities. Fighting climate
change should start with changing our habits and protecting our ecosystems. In a United
Nations programme, examples from Pacific island communities show that restoring mangrove
forests and using traditional knowledge can protect people from storms and rising seas. The UN
Environment Programme supports these community-led solutions. Everyone can help by
making eco-friendly choices – save energy, reuse and recycle, use public transport or walk
instead of driving. Eat sustainably and waste less. We must all live more simply so that we do
not exhaust the planet’s resources. This is about quality of life, not just convenience. We owe it
to future generations to reduce our impact and preserve the planet. Only then can we truly
solve climate change.
