The environment
Discuss environmental problems and solutions: climate change, pollution, recycling, energy and what individuals can do.
In this lesson you will
- Use vocabulary for environmental problems
- Talk about solutions and personal actions
- Give opinions about environmental issues
Learn
Problems: climate change, global warming, air/water pollution, deforestation, plastic waste, extinction of species, extreme weather, rising sea levels.
Solutions: renewable energy (solar, wind), recycling, reducing waste, public transport, protecting habitats, planting trees, cutting emissions.
Personal actions: reduce, reuse, recycle; cut down on meat; switch off lights; avoid single-use plastic; take the train instead of flying.
Collocations: reduce emissions, protect the environment, cause pollution, have an impact on, take action, raise awareness.
Examples
- Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution.
- Many cities are investing in renewable energy.
- We’ve cut down on single-use plastic at home.
- Governments need to take action now.
Vocabulary
emissions
gases sent into the air
renewable
that won’t run out (energy)
deforestation
cutting down forests
single-use
used once and thrown away
habitat
the natural home of an animal or plant
extinct
no longer existing (species)
Practice
Solar and wind are ___ energy sources.
Speaking
Describe the biggest environmental problem in your country, its causes, and three things governments and individuals should do.
Writing
Write an opinion paragraph (100–120 words): “Individuals can’t solve climate change — only governments can.” Do you agree?
Lesson quiz
Gases from cars and factories are…
Review
Key points
- Problems: climate change, pollution, deforestation, extinction.
- Solutions: renewable energy, recycling, protecting habitats.
- Collocations: reduce emissions, take action, raise awareness.
What you learned
- ✓ I can discuss environmental problems.
- ✓ I can suggest solutions.
- ✓ I use environment collocations.