English For Today chapter 9: Climate Change

Unit Nine

Climate Change

Learning outcomes

After we have studied this unit, we will be able to

• read and understand texts
• talk about climate and environment
• ask and answer questions
• take part in role-plays
• write short guided and semi-guided sentences and passages

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Lesson 1: Planet Earth in Crisis

Keywords : uncomfortable , idle , all day long , climate , shift (v) , temperature , climb (v) , survive (v)

A . Read the text and the conversation.

Samina is in class 7 and Arif in class 6. They both felt very uncomfortable the other day. It was just the beginning of March and the day was very hot. In the small town of Sherpur, summer had come with all its heat and warmth. Samina and Arif had nothing much to do. While sitting idle on the veranda, they saw their uncle, Anwar coming to them. Anwar works at an NGO called Save the Earth. Samina and Arif started talking to their uncle about weather and climate.

Anwar : Children, why are you sitting idle here? You look very unhappy!

Sabina : Uncle, it's so hot all day long.

Arif : And there is no electricity. We can't use fans.

Samina : We can't watch television either. Uncle, why is it so hot now?

Anwar : In fact, we've an early summer this year. It's been happening for the last four or five years. Seasons are shifting.

Arif : What's shifting, Uncle?

Anwar : Summer usually starts from April. But this year it has started in March.This moving from April to March is a shift or change.

Samina : Why do seasons shift, Uncle?

Anwar : Well, it is because of climate change. And many things are happening on this earth due to climate change. For example, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing, and sea levels are rising. If things go on like this, our Planet Earth will be in danger.

Samina : Uncle, what will happen if the earth is in danger? How will we survive on this earth?

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Anwar : Well….. I am going to give you a booklet now. Please read it and you'll know more about climate change.

Samina & Arif : Thank you, Uncle. We will certainly read it.

B . Choose the right answer.

1 Which one of these is an example of climate change?

• a. a long day
• b. a windy day
• c. a hot summer day
• d. a sunny day

2 What does 'climbing' mean in the statement "temperatures are climbing"?

• a. shifting
• b. going up
• c. being in crisis
• d. surviving

3. If things go on like this… In this sentence 'go on' means

• a. to go places
• b. to change times
• c. to walk fast
• d. to continue

4. How did Samina and Arif react to what Anwar said about climate change?

• a. They showed no interest.
• b. They became afraid of going out alone.
• c. They wanted to know more about climate change.
• d. They agreed to attend a lecture on climate change.

C . Now look at the six pictures that Samina and Arif saw in the booklet. All these pictures are about the dangers caused by climate change. Choose a caption given in the box to match each picture.

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Figure

Description: Misty hills with bare and leafy trees on a grassy slope; a row of trees on the ridge in the distance.

1……………………………

Figure

Description: A tiger walking forward through grass and fallen leaves, its face turned toward the viewer.

2………………………………

Figure

Description: A long beach or shoreline at hazy distance, with a few people walking along it.

3. ……………………………….

Figure

Description: People standing in floodwater with livestock; a man and a child stand among goats or sheep near trees.

4. ……………………………………

Figure

Description: Dry, cracked ground with a network of deep cracks in the soil.

5. ……………………………….

Figure

Description: A large swirling storm system seen from above, with a dense cloud spiral centred on the right.

6. ……………………………….……….

a. Drought in north Bengal b. Wildlife at risk of extinction c. Stronger cyclone and tornados d. Rising sea-level at Cox's Bazar e. Flooding of rivers in monsoon f. Higher temperature

D . Discuss this question in pairs.

Which of the above dangers are you afraid of the most? Why?

E . Make a list of two other dangers of climate change that might occur in your locality.

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Lesson 2: What Happens in Bangladesh?

Keywords : prolonged, adverse, water logging, landslide, spell, crop, salinity, coastal, deforestation

A. Samina and Arif are very upset to read about the effects of climate change. They are more curious to know what will happen in Bangladesh. Read the following text to know about this.

Bangladesh is already experiencing the adverse impacts of global warming and climate change. Summers are becoming hotter and the monsoon is irregular. There are untimely heavy rainfalls causing water logging and landslides. Among other impacts there are frequent floods, river erosion and crop damage due to drought, prolonged cold spells, salinity of water in the coastal areas etc.

Climate change has already started bringing disasters to Bangladesh. We remember the damage caused by the Aila in 2009. Climate change victims are increasing in number every day. The number of families and villages that lose their homes permanently to rivers every year is one of the highest in Bangladesh. An increasing number of people are suffering damage or loss to their property and some time life due to disasters caused by climate change. Following the climate change, the river bank and coastal erosion are increasing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that a 45-centimetre rise of sea-level will flood almost 10.9 percent of our territory and will make 5.5 million people of our coastal regions homeless.

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B. Tick the best answer.

1. One outcome of climate change in Bangladesh is

   • a. summers are becoming shorter.
   • b. summers are becoming milder.
   • c. the monsoon is becoming irregular.
   • d. the cities are getting larger.

2. The cyclone that hit Bangladesh in 2009 is called

   • a. Hurricane.
   • b. Sidr.
   • c. Aila.
   • d. Nargis.

3. It is likely that 10.9 percent of Bangladesh will go under water if the sea level rises to

   • a. 40 centimetres.
   • b. 45 centimeters.
   • c. 35 centimetres.
   • d. 50 centimetres.

4. The phrase 'coastal region' means an area

   • a. with deep forests.
   • b. of dry lands.
   • c. with a huge population.
   • d. close to the sea.

5. The phrase 'prolonged cold spells' means

   • a. long duration of cold waves.
   • b. long gap between two winters.
   • c. longer nights during winter.
   • d. delay in doing something due to cold.

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C. In small groups discuss these questions.

1. Which animals in Bangladesh are in danger of extinction? What do you think we should do to protect these animals?
2. What problems do you think deforestation can cause in Bangladesh?

D. Write five slogans to make people aware of the problems of climate change. Two are done for you.

1. Good environment is good health
2. Air pollution causes health hazards.
3. ………………………………………………………………………..
4. ………………………………………………………………………..
5. ………………………………………………………………………..

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Lesson 3: What Can We Do?

Keywords : lifestyle, air-conditioning, dairy products, tackle, keep off (v), rechargeable

A. Samina and Arif now read about the things they can do to help stop global warming. Read the passage to know about what we can do.

It is easy to understand now that the global warming and climate change are caused by humans on earth. If we make least use of energy, the earth will be least polluted. The golden rule is, 'Avoid machines as much as possible. If your family has a car, use it less and walk to the shops. Walking and running are much more fun than sitting in a car. You may use bicycles too. You can save energy by changing your lifestyle. For example, you can often avoid the air-conditioning in summer and use hand fans instead. You can also use solar energy. It is free and more environment friendly. You can use energy-saving bulbs in your room. If you make a garden, you can grow much of your own food. You can also save the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling the things you use. The most important idea is if you don't buy so many things in the first place, you don't need to reuse or recycle them.

You can also save energy by turning things off when you don't use them. People often leave lights, heating, air-conditioning, computers, TVs and gas burners on when they do not use them. Thus, they waste a lot of energy. Turning them off saves money too!

So, you can tackle climate change and live comfortably. There is plenty you can do. If we all work sensibly, we can save our lovely planet.

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B. Match the sentence parts in A with those in B.

C. The people below are taking care of their home and car, but they are doing many things that can damage the environment, especially our water. Identify the activities which you think may damage our environment.

Figure

Description: A street scene in a crowded neighbourhood. On the left, a person on a building balcony is spraying water from a pipe onto the street. In the centre and at the right, people are washing cars. At the bottom left, an open bin overflows with waste, and a worker stands beside a drain at the bottom right.

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D. Look at the list of Dos and Don'ts to keep the environment safe. Then make a poster in groups on what you can/can't do to save the environment in your city, town or village.

Now write a few slogans for a poster using the following clues:

1. Don't throw your wastes ……………………………………………… .
2. Do not use ………………………………… bags while shopping.
3. You can not use too much water for …………………………… .
4. People must use ………………………… .

(Continue)