TOPIC: ENVIRONMENT

Students’ notes
A/ Importance of the natural world
Humans sometimes take for granted the role of the natural world:
- Environment plays an important part in healthy living and existence of all life on the planet
o It provides shelters for species
o All creatures are dependent on nature for food, air, water and other needs
o The interconnection between species means one change to the world causes chain
reactions that disrupt the entire ecosystem
- For humankind, nature is the main provider of resources essential for economic development
 Agriculture activities on land and sea provide livelihood
 Industry cannot exist without the exploitation of energy or natural resources
- Animals and plants add to the beauty of the world
o Pets and house plants have become essential in reducing stress at home and at work
o Many species are of scientific significance, contributing to medical science
o Knowledge and understanding of species allow humans to live in harmony with nature, thus
ensuring sustainable development.
WHY AREN’T WE AWARE OF THIS?
- Humans consider themselves to be master of the planet, thus ignoring its significance
- Education systems encourage students to seek success at the expense of others, including the
environment
- Changes to the environment are gradual and sometimes unable to be felt by laypersons => belief
that it is not their responsibility or concern
B/ Humans and environmental problems
1/ Environmental problems
a/ Reasons:
Human activities are largely responsible for the destruction of the planet
- Industrialization:
o Lands and forests are cleared for accommodation and factories
o Factories and vehicles produce emissions and exhaust fumes
o Increasing demand for natural resources for production and services
- Agriculture:
o Lands are cultivated, oceans are exploited beyond capacity 1
o Chemicals, including pesticide or herbicide, are utilized without any consideration
- Consumer culture:
o People conveniently discards old items => increase the amount of waste
o Packaging using non-biodegradable materials
- Other activities:
o Tourism damage the scenery in nature
o Healthcare demands materials for development of new treatments, or animals for testing
b/ Impacts:
Human activities have led to global warming and climate change:
- A range of environmental problems and disasters are threatening the world
- Extreme weather conditions and pollution are disrupting the daily life and operation of both
individuals and communities
- Animals and plants are on the verge of extinction while many species have already disappeared
There are other problems indirectly caused by environmental problems:
- New health threats emerge, caused by mutation
- Conflicts and disputes over resources happen more regularly between nations
- The gap between the rich and the poor is widening, as a portion of the population is living on the
margin of society, suffering heavy consequences of climate change
c/ Solutions:
- Governments:
o Promulgate and enforce legislations to limit emissions and regulate activities that may
threaten the environment
o Impose “green taxes” on vehicles, especially private ones
o Promote recycling through sensible policies
- Organizations and individuals:
o Make investment and shift toward renewable energy
o A sustainable lifestyle is essential: using public transport, choose products with less
packaging, recycle as much as possible
2/ Energy
a/ Fossil fuels:
Advantages:
- Affordable and more available to most individuals
- Most technologies these days operate on fossil fuels

Disadvantages:
- Fossil fuel reserves are depleting at a threatening pace
- Fossil fuels are extremely environmentally-harmful: release greenhouse gases during combustion
b/ Alternative energy:
Advantages
- Renewable and sustainable => unlikely to run become depleted
- Environmentally friendly
- Become economical and cost-effective in the long run
Disadvantages:
- Require vast areas of land and certain geographical features
- Costly to construct systems to harness power
- There may be risks involved, especially with nuclear power
3/ Waste 2
a/ Reasons:
Almost all human activities produce waste:
- Consumption of products requires packaging
- Families produce household waste, much of which is organic
- Industrial and agricultural waste is extremely toxic and dangerous to environment
- Plastic is causing major concerns all over the world
b/ Impacts:
If not disposed of correctly and effectively, waste can become a threat to humans and the world:
- Habitat destruction: pristine areas become landfill sites, unable to support life
- Air, water and land quality: chemicals released into the world may contaminate the environment,
prompting other consequences
- Diseases: carriers of diseases, including bugs or rats, thrive from waste and landfills
- Climate change and global warming: the burning of garbage or releasing of toxic fumes is a major factor
leading to environment destruction
C/ Animals
1/ The roles of animals
Positive:
- An essential factor of nature that helps maintain the balance of the food chain
- Animals used in science play a pivotal role in advancing technological and medical development
- Pets in the home can offer companionship, security and an affinity with nature
Negative:
- Many species of animals (pests) are destructive to nature (locust, cockroach, rats)
- Some animals are carrier of diseases which can be transmitted to humans
- Pets in the home can be a nuisance due to limited mobility and their tendency to cause damage

2/ Zoos and conservation zones

Benefits:
- Considered to be vital for wildlife conservation
o Provide a habitat for endangered species
o Allow scientists to observe and study animals and their behaviors
- May assist in education and entertainment
o Students and children understand about wildlife
o Provide a means of recreation for people of all ages
- May provide employment opportunities for certain groups of individuals
Drawbacks:
- Considered cruel to animals:
o Animals are kept in an artificial environments deprived of freedom: locked in cages or
confined space
o Animals in captivity become over-reliant on humans => become tamed and incautious =>
become vulnerable when released back into the wild
- Profit is number one priority for a large number of zoo operators

3/ Animal experimentation
Arguments for:
- Animal testing are essential for the advancement of science and technology
- Research with animal test subjects has resulted in important medical treatments (e.g. rabies)
- Scientists now aim to minimize the suffering that animals must endure
Arguments against:
- The benefits of research using animals cannot justify the suffering caused to them 3
- There are now alternative methods of research (e.g. computer models)
- Humans have no moral right to inflict pain and suffering on unwilling animals

D/ Environmental protection
1/ Investment in environmental protection
12-05-2018:
Some people think that a huge amount of time and money is spent on the protection of wild animals, and
that this money could be better spent on the human population. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with this opinion?

10-11-2018:
Some people think governments should spend money on faster means of public transport. However, others
think money should be spent on other priorities (eg. cost, environment). Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
Why we need to invest in environmental protection?
- Because of the importance of the natural world
- Human is responsible for the damage we have caused to nature
- For long-term benefits: guarantee a thriving planet for future generations

We need to realize that INVESTMENT means more than money:

- It requires time and effort to shift and change our habit:
o Waste disposal and waste recycling
o Use of eco-friendly products and biodegradable materials
o Reduce the use of fossil fuels and utilize renewable sources of energy
o Refuse/Boycott the use products from animals or rare plant species
- Education and propaganda are required to change viewpoints:
 Schools and educators incorporate lessons that focus on the importance of the natural world
 Ecotourism offers chances to live in harmony with nature
 More media coverage on environmental issues is needed

2/ Economy vs. Environments

Economic development at the expense of Economic development in harmony with

the environment the environment
A developed economy requires large amounts of Scientific and technological developments are
resources, including: repairing damage done to the world, while
- Land for industrial or agricultural activities minimizing negative impacts:
- Materials for production of consumer - Clean and green energy
goods - Self-sufficient machinery
- Energy for operation of machines and - Waste disposal or sewage treatment
appliances systems

Economic activities create waste, which leads to Governments are encouraging a sustainable
pollution: lifestyle:
- Use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides - Recycling goods
- Fumes released by plants and factories - Public transport and cycling
- Zero-emission vehicles
- Taxation on fuels

4
RECENT TOPICS

- 22-10-2022: The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the
cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- 25-9-2022: Some think that private companies should pay for cleaning up pollution, while
others say it is the government’s responsibility. Discuss and state your own opinion.
- 28-05-2022: Some human activities have negative effects on plant and animal species.
Some people think it is too late to do anything about this problem while others think
effective measures can be taken to improve this situation. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.
- 26-02-2022: Some people say that too much time and resources are spent on the
protection of wild animals and birds. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- 25-04-2020: Environmental protection is the responsibility of politicians, not individuals as
 individuals can do too little. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- 21-05-2020: The government should spend more money on medical research to protect citizens'
health rather than on protecting the environment. Do you agree or disagree?
- 01-08-2020: Nowadays people waste a lot of food that was bought from shops and restaurants.
Why do you think people waste food? What can be done to reduce the amount of food they throw
away?
- 17-09-2020: Plastic containers have become more prevalent than ever. They are used in many
businesses such as in the food and beverage sector. Do you think the advantages outweigh
disadvantages?
- 15-10-2020: It is suggested that primary children should learn how to grow vegetables and keep
animals. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
12-01-2019 + 24-08-2019: Environmental protection is the responsibility of politicians, not
individuals as individuals can do too little To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- 23-03-2019: People are living in a ‘throwaway society’, using things for a short time and then
throwing them away. What are the causes of this? What problems does it lead to?
- 06-04-2019: People have little understanding of the importance of the natural world. What are the
reasons and how can people learn more about the natural world?
- 06-07-2019: Many foods are shipped from far away. Some people think that eating local food is
more environmentally and economically. Do you think the advantages outweigh its disadvantages?
- 10-08-2019: Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed down. Others however
believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals. Discuss both views and give your own
opinion.
- 07-09-2019: The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural
environment. What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem?
- 28-09-2019: Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) are the main sources of energy in many
countries. However, in some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy (wind and solar
energy) are encouraged. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
- 30-11-2019: Countries should try to produce all the food for the population and import as little
food as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

- 05-05-2018: These days, people in some countries are living in a "throw-away" society which mean
people use things in a short time then throw them away. What are the causes of this and what
problems can it lead to?
- 12-05-2018: Some people think that a huge amount of time and money is spent on the protection
of wild animals, and that this money could be better spent on the human population. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
- 28-07-2018: Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty,
while others say that economic growth is damaging the environment so it should be stopped.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- 15-09-2018: Overpopulation is the most serious problem humans are facing. Do you agree or
disagree?
- 11-10-2018: Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment; only governments and large
companies can make a difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- 10-11-2018: Some people think governments should spend money on faster means of public
transport. However, others think money should be spent on other priorities (eg. cost,
environment). Discuss both views and give your opinion. 5
 FOR THE NEXT LESSON
CRIMES AND THE LAW
TOPIC-RELATED VOCABULARY
a/ Rephrasing of some common topic words
- Crimes: criminal activities, illegal actions, delinquencies, infringements of the law, offences
- Criminal: offender, convict, delinquent, wrongdoer
- Prevent: deter, control cut, reduce
- The government: the authority, policy makers, law makers
- Punishment: penalty, sanction, sentence
- Law: legislation, rules. Regulations, justice (rare)
b/ Useful nouns
- Deterrence: prevention, stopping of crimes
- Sense of guilt: the feeling of having done something wrong
- Social security: the feeling of safety among citizens
- Social isolation: separate a person from society
- Contempt: hate and disrespect shown towards someone
- Rehabilitation: the action of returning someone to society after a period of education or training
- The armed force: the police and army
c/ Useful verbs
- Serve a sentence: carry out a punishment
- Make a fresh start: live a new life = turn a new page/leaf of life
- Promulgate: impose, pass, enforce, legislate (the laws)
- Violate: offend, infringe, break the law, commit a crime
- Combat: fight, prevent
d/ Useful adjectives
- Law-abiding: good, legal, inside the law
- Stiff: harsh, serious, strict, cruel, severe
- Heinous: unacceptable, serious
- Anti-social: having a tendency to break the law
e/ Other definitions
- Classification of crimes: petty crimes = minor crimes = unserious crimes, organized crimes, property
crimes, personal crimes, victimless crimes = crimes on morality, white-collar crimes, cybercrimes 6
- Forms of punishments: fine = financial penalty, probation, imprisonment, community service,
corporal punishment, capital punishment = death sentence