Skill Builders: Speaking – Global Warming & the Environment

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Global Warming and the Environment
Discuss or debate the questions below. Remember to support your answers!

Are you concerned about the present state of the environment? Why/not?
Is global warming a myth to scare people, as some people say? Why/not?
Will the lives of our children (or our children's children) be more difficult because of the
damage wrought on the environment? Why/not?
Will humans become extinct because we have irreparably ruined the environment?

What environmental problems have you heard in the news recently?

How often do you think about the environment? Is it enough? Why/not?
If temperatures continue to rise year after year, how will our lives be different in the
near future? How about long term, say 25 years from now?
What do you do (or have you done) to help the environment? Please explain.
In order to protect the environment, your city raises its tax by 25% for all citizens. How
would you feel? What would you do?
In order to protect the environment, your city passes a law that requires cars with even-
numbered license plates to drive on even-numbered dates, and odd-numbered license
plates on odd-numbered dates. How would you feel? What would you do?
What do you think about fines or jail time for people who use too many resources?
Would this increase environmental awareness and responsibility?
What would you do if scientists realized that in fifteen years, the Earth would be unable
to support any life whatsoever... and nothing could be done?

Would you ever donate some money to an environmental action group? Why/not?
Could you do more to protect the environment? Please explain.
Do you think we will have to settle on the Moon or Mars because a ravaged
environment on Earth won't be able to support life someday? Why/not?

Why don't people do more to help the environment? Why

don't politicians do more to help the environment?
What can other countries do to ensure large polluters like
America or China get serious about the environment now?
Should the government or the people bear the brunt for
environmental protection?
What has been the biggest failure of the Kyoto Protocol?
What are five ways that every person can help the
environment, starting now?

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