1 What causes natural climate change and what causes global warming?
2 Is there anything good about C02?
3 Why is there more C02 in the atmosphere than ever before?
4 What problem does a thicker CO2 blanket cause?
During the long history of our planet, the climate has often changed for natural reasons. This is because the energy that we get from the sun changes regularly. The planet was warmer during the time of the dinosaurs, and during the ice age it was four degrees lower than today. However, nowadays the climate is changing faster than ever before. This rapid change, known as global warming, is caused by the current high levels of carbon dioxide (C02) in the atmosphere.
There has been C02 in the atmosphere for millions of years. Animals produce C02 when they breathe, and plants use it to make energy and oxygen. The C02 that is not used by plants forms a blanket in the atmosphere. In a positive way, this blanket traps the sun's energy and keeps the planet warm. However, C02 is also produced when we burn oil, coal and gas - the fossil fuels. Because of this, the amount of C02 in the atmosphere is now higher than at any time in the last 600,000 years. The C02 blanket is getting thicker and thicker, and this means the planet is getting hotter and hotter. This is causing the rapid climate change and it is a danger to life on this planet.
LISTENING
Listen to part of a documentary about global warming. Number these topics in order (1-6).
a) the presenter's opinion
b) rainforests
c) computer models
d) the Arctic
e) coral reefs
f) sea levels and the Pacific islands
g)
Listen again and answer these questions.
1 How long has the presenter been a scientist?
2 How long has she been a documentary maker?
3 What does she now believe?
4 Where does John Watts work?
5 Why is life getting harder for the polar bears?
6 Why are the Pacific islands disappearing?
7 What is happening in the rainforests?
8 Why are coral reefs dying?
9 Look at the graph. What do the two lines show?
6. The presenter says we have to produce less C02. How can we do that? Discuss with a partner.
SPEAKING
7.How much do you agree with these statements? Give them a mark out of 5 (1 = completely disagree; 5 = completely agree). Compare your opinions with your partner and discuss the statements.
1 We can't stop global warming. It's too late.
2 My government has been doing a lot to reduce global warming.
3 Nuclear power is the best way to replace fossil fuel power.
4 There should be an extra eco-tax on flights.
5 The way I live my life is bad for the environment.
6 Wind farms are ugly and shouldn't be built in beautiful places.
LESSON 2
SCENARIO REPARATION
Change these sentences so that they are true for the place where you live. Compare your ideas with a partner.
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In my city...
1 there's a lot of ugly graffiti.
2 most of the canals and ponds aren't very clean.
3 
there are many empty and derelict houses.
4 there are some scruffy areas of wasteland.
5 my local park isn't very well-kept.
6 many streets are run-down.
7 people often dump rubbish in woods and green areas.
SITUATION
Local community groups often try to improve local environments. They apply to the government for funding for their projects.
Read the funding proposal below and answer these questions.
1 What is the main purpose of the project?
2 Which do you think are the three most important benefits of the project?
3 How much does it cost each year?
WILD CITY
Project title Wild City
Project description The regeneration of an area of wasteland by turning it into a small, urban wildlife park.
Benefits of the project
1 It will turn a scruffy, ugly area of wasteland into an attractive nature park.
2 It will increase the number of trees and animals in this urban area.
3 It will be an educational resource for local children.
4 It might attract some visitors to the area.
5 
It will bring the community together. Local people will build and look after the park.
Budget
Total cost: £60,000 Cost breakdown
Clearance of the wasteland: £10,000 Purchase of 100 trees: £40,000 Purchase of plants and seeds: £5,000 Annual running cost: £5,000
The government funding committee has some guidelines to help them assess a project proposal. Look at the guidelines below. Which ones does the Wild City project meet?
Good projects should...
1 improve the local environment.
2 solve a problem.
3 involve local people working together.
4 need no, or little, annual financial support.
5 offer ideas for future developments.
6 make the local area 'greener'.
Listen to the funding committee discuss the project. Which of the guidelines do Rick and Poppy discuss and in what order? Do they generally agree or disagree with each other?