Environment: Problems and Solutions

Environment: Problems & Solutions

Interactive English Lesson

Part 1: Pollution & Recycling

1. Brainstorming

Outline a problem that can arise with the following issue and offer a solution:

Recycling

2. Reading: Interview

Complete the interview answers using the words from the box.

reduce waste • reduce pollution • recycled materials • sorting our rubbish • throw away • natural resources • recyclable • make a difference • making small changes • do something about • launch a campaign • urge people • encourage • a top priority • economic opportunities

Are you worried about pollution? What type of pollution should people deal with first?

Victor: Yes, I am very concerned about this issue and I think we must the environmental pollution. We should first deal with plastic pollution. I think we should give this issue as . We should to raise awareness and to sort plastic so that it can be recycled.

Is recycling important? Why?

Maria: I think recycling is very important for our environment. That’s because it helps and conserve . Every day, people items that can be recycled. This includes paper, plastic, glass, and metal. By recycling these items, we can save energy and .

Anna: Recycling is important as it helps create jobs. People are employed to collect and sort materials. The materials are then sent to companies who use them to make new products. This creates for many people.

How popular is recycling in Russia?

Max: Unfortunately, very few people know about recycling. But I think we can all do our part to help. We can start by into different categories. We can also buy products that use . Finally, we can others to recycle. By today, we can create a better future for tomorrow. Recycling is one way we can .

3. Vocabulary Check

Write down the English equivalents from the text above:

изменить жизнь к лучшему —
создавать лучшее будущее —
делать маленькие шаги —
перерабатываемые материалы —
переработанные материалы —
сортировать мусор —
повысить уровень осведомлённости —
запустить общественную кампанию —
призывать людей —
мотивировать остальных —

4. Over to You: Speaking

Use the active vocabulary to discuss these questions:

  • Are you worried about pollution? What type of pollution should people deal with first?
  • Do you think pollution is a big problem nowadays? Why or why not?
  • What is the most serious environmental problem in your country and how can it be solved?
  • Is recycling important? Why?
  • How popular is recycling in Russia?
  • What’s your personal attitude to recycling?
Part 2: Environmental Awareness

1. Brainstorming

Outline a problem that can arise with the following issue and offer a solution:

Protecting the environment

2. Reading: Interview

Complete these answers using the words below:

basic • impact • renewable • how to protect • keep it clean • affects • informed • essential • affect our planet • to reduce

Did you have environmental studies at school? Is it an important subject? Why?

Christina: Yes, I did. I think environmental studies is an important subject. It teaches students about the environment and it. Learning about the environment helps us understand how we can help and healthy. Students learn about the different ecosystems, how pollution them, and what steps can be taken it. They also learn about energy sources and why it is important to use them.

Julia: Yes, I did. I think environmental studies is a very important subject as climate change continues to . Knowing how to reduce our on the environment is for protecting it. It is important for everyone to have a understanding of environmental issues so that they can make decisions.

3. Vocabulary Check

Write down the English equivalents from the text above:

принимать информированные решения —
оказывать влияние на нашу планету —
иметь базовое понимание —

4. Over to You: Speaking

Use the active vocabulary to discuss these questions:

  • Did you have environmental studies at school? Is it an important subject? Why?
  • In what way do people damage our planet?
  • Do you think people nowadays care about air pollution more than they used to?
  • Have you ever participated in any environmental events? Which ones?
Part 3: Taking Action & Wildlife

1. Brainstorming

Outline a problem that can arise with the following issue and offer a solution:

Protecting wildlife

2. Reading: Interview

There is one word missing in each sentence. Select the correct word for the gap.

generations • eco-friendly practices • help • reduce (x2) • save • avoid • recycle • renewable • transport • reuse

What can people do to protect our environment?

Lisa: We can all do things to protect the environment. One thing we can do is the amount of waste we create. We can paper, plastic and glass instead of throwing them away. We can also items like bags and containers.

Mark: We should energy by turning off lights and electronics when they are not in use. Taking public is another way to save energy. We can also plant trees to help air pollution. By taking these steps, we can help protect our environment for future .

Critical Thinking Note: Mark claims that taking public transport "saves energy". Is there a logical flaw in this statement? Does a bus or a train actually save energy, or does it do something else? Discuss your ideas!

John: We can use energy sources like solar and wind power instead of relying on fossil fuels. We can also buy items that are made from sustainable materials and support companies that use . Also, we should be careful about what products we use and try to buying things with too much packaging.

3. Vocabulary Check

Write down the English equivalents from the text above:

возобновляемые источники энергии —
использовать повторно —
ископаемые виды топлива —

4. Over to You: Speaking

Use the active vocabulary to discuss these questions:

  • What can people do to protect our environment?
  • What do you personally do to protect our planet?
  • Do you think that the environmental situation will improve in the near future? Why do you think so?
  • What environmental problems may we face in the future?