Speaking. 28.Discussion questions:

28. Discussion questions:

1. Global environmental hazards: which are more alarming?

ü global warming

ü ozone depletion

ü toxic and nuclear waste

ü ... (continue the list)

2. In what ways can you help solve environmental problems facing our planet?

29. Look at the boxes and match the suggestions with their results. Then, link the sentences with so that or to and talk about how we can improve the living conditions in our cities.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Governments should improve public transport.

2. People should get involved in recycling schemes.

3. We should ban cars from city centers.

4. Government should force factories to put filters on chimneys.

5.We should stop using the products of companies whose factories cause pollution.

RESULTS

a There will be less rubbish to pollute the environment.

b We will force them to use environmentally friendly production methods.

c We can make the streets cleaner, safer and quieter.

d People won’t have to use cars to get around.

e The harmful gases won't be able to pollute the atmosphere.

30. Your town is facing serious problems. The streets are full of rubbish, there are too many cars, people keep cutting down the trees to make space for more buildings, the nearby river is being polluted with chemicals from the factories and people are suffering from breathing problems and stomach illnesses. Suggest ways to improve the situation, explaining the resultsof each suggestion. You can use ideas from the whole unit as well as your own ideas.

31. Answer the following questionnaire, and add up your score to find out how environmentally aware you are. Then, suggest ways in which people with low scores in this quiz could become more environmentally aware. Use expressions like: They should/ought to…, They’d better…, The best thing would be…, etc.

32. Agree or disagree with the statements justifying your opinion:

1. As far as the environment is concerned the trends are positive rather than negative. 2. With respect to water quality, the key measure is drinkability. By this measure the water quality is getting better rather than worse. 3. There is no factual basis for the forecast of more pollution in the future. 4. The concept of "ecological stability" is too diffuse (not precisely defined) to be measured. 5. There never have been any data showing that population growth, size or density have a negative effect upon the level of pollution. 6. The number of potential threats to the environment is infinite.

33. Comment on the following statements:

1. We need to move in our basic thinking from the “Taker” to the “Leaver” mentality. 2. We have to bring back some kind of animism. 3. Environmental problem solving must pay a lot of attention to a philosophical critique of the values of industrial capitalist society.

34. Discuss the following:

1. Would it be better if we saved forests, oil and coal and did without the things they provide? 2. Will we run out of the things we need before we find substitutes for them? 3. Man — a master of nature or a part of it? 4. Will we preserve Lake Baikal? 5. Deforestation and its consequences for the world. 6. Soil erosion and the destruction of the environment. 7. The role of natural reservations in preserving wild life. 8. Nuclear energy and the environment.

35. Situations of intercultural communication:

a) You’re participating in the International Conference on Ecological Problems. You’re to speak about the results of the studies conducted with the effects of climate change on human health.

b) As a participant in the International Conference on Environmental Protection you’re to present the information about the pollution of environment in your/ foreign countries and the solutions of this problem.

c) A group of students from different countries are on their holidays at the lake Baikal. Their views on the problem of recycling are surprisingly contradicting. Participate in the discussion (polylogue).

36. Role Play

Panel Discussion: Think Globally, Act Locally.

Role 1.Chairperson

You must open the meeting and give a short introductory speech explaining the purpose of this discussion (what communities and individuals can contribute to solving global ecological problems). You are to introduce the speakers, make sure everyone gets their say and no one dominates the discussion. You are to sum up the main points made and close the meeting.

Role2.

You are an environmental psychologist. You are to speak about the results of the studies conducted with the purpose of examining the ways individuals influence the environment. Say how people hurt the environment; don’t go into details.

Role 3.

You are an ecopsychologist. You are going to speak about the "ignorance" factor in the destruction of the Earth.

Role 4.

You are an ecologist. You are going to speak about environmental myths.

Role 5.

You are a journalist with The Time. You are to speak about the results of Time / CNN poll: How much are Americans prepared to sacrifice in order to curb global warming?

Each participant is expected to suggest ways of dealing with the problem locally.