Photo by © CHIARA TERZUOLO via
Savvy Tokyo
Pre-Reading Questions:
- Are you experiencing climate change in your country now? Please explain your answer.
- What do you do to help fight climate change in your country? Please explain your answer.
Vocabulary:
- greenhouse gas /GREEN-hous gas/
[noun] a gas that causes the greenhouse effect, especially carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause climate change.
- eco-friendly /EK-oh-FREND-lee/
[adjective] designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment
We should use eco-friendly products to help our world fight global warming.
- atmosphere /AT-muhs-feer/
[noun] the mixture of gases around the earth
Hot temperature causes the atmosphere to get thinner.
- carbon dioxide /KAHR-buh n dahy-OK-sahyd/
[noun] the gas produced when animal or vegetable matter is burned, or when animals breathe out
As we exhale, the air that goes out from our body becomes carbon dioxide.
- nitrogen dioxide /NAHY-truh-juh n dahy-OK-sahyd/
[noun] a poisonous brown gas, formed when some metals dissolve in nitric acid
Nitrogen dioxide causes the formation of acid rain which damages our environment.
- agriculture /AG-ri-kuhl-cher/
[noun] the practice or work of farming
Agriculture can both have positive and negative impacts in our environment.
Global warming has been an alarming issue and unfortunately, people are paying less attention to it. Japan’s Cabinet is planning some ways to give off zero greenhouse gas in the second half of the 21st century. Here are some ways to achieve that:
1. REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE
A total of 40 billion plastic bags are used around annually by everyone in Japan. To prevent this from happening, avoid using single-use plastic bags and choose to carry around reusable things such as metal chopsticks or mugs and eco bags. This might be tough at first but as you do it every day, it will be a no-brainer routine in no time.
2. EVERYTHING COMES WITH A HIDDEN PRICE
In buying products, always go for the toughest, finest, and most resistant option in which you can use for a very long time. In this way, you don’t only help the environment by buying and throwing the same things repeatedly but also save your money. And if you’re only going to use something once, borrowing from a friend or from online sharing services would be the best option.
3. ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL
As an airplane takes flight, it fills the atmosphere with great amounts of pollutants such as dangerous carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Soon, airplanes will release tons of it which will continue to damage our atmosphere. So, instead of international trips, locally traveling by bus or train will help us make the pleasure of having a greener planet longer.
4. EAT LESS MEAT
The process of producing a large number of animals for food, cutting down forests for animal agriculture, and manure run-off contribute greenhouse gases in our environment. So instead of growing crops to feed animals that we’ll later on consume, it will be better if we just set aside the meat and be the one who’ll eat the crops instead. In that way, we don’t only save the earth but also make ourselves healthier.
5. GO AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS
It is not a secret that big businesses and governments are the biggest contributors to pollution. Climate Accountability Institute found out that every 90 fossil fuel businesses release 63% of harmful chemicals. We can help in solving this problem by using renewable energy in our homes such as solar panels.
6. CHANGES START AT HOME
Instead of waiting for big organizations and governments to make a move, why don’t we start doing the listed ways on how we can help fight climate change? Practice what we want to see and preach what we practice. We can influence other people if they can see great results in what we do.
We only have one Earth so start making a great difference for it now!
Comprehension Questions:
- In the article, what are the ways to fight climate change in Japan?
- According to the article, what would be the best option if you are going to use an item once?
- What should we do to prevent airplanes from damaging the atmosphere?
- What are the things mentioned that contribute to greenhouse gases?
- In the article, how can we help in solving the release of 63% of harmful chemicals that fossil fuels businesses?
Discussion Questions:
- The article suggested that to save our environment from the destruction that the livestock industry makes, one should just be a vegetarian. What do you think about that?
- When buying things, do you always opt for something that is expensive but long-lasting? Why or why not?
- Do you think that it will be possible to lessen international flights for the sake of our atmosphere? Please explain your answer.
- In your opinion, what do you think are the causes of climate change? Please explain your answer.
- How do you think we can influence other people such as governments and big organizations to fight climate change?
[noun] a gas that causes the greenhouse effect, especially carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause climate change.
[adjective] designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment
We should use eco-friendly products to help our world fight global warming.
[noun] the mixture of gases around the earth
Hot temperature causes the atmosphere to get thinner.
[noun] the gas produced when animal or vegetable matter is burned, or when animals breathe out
As we exhale, the air that goes out from our body becomes carbon dioxide.
[noun] a poisonous brown gas, formed when some metals dissolve in nitric acid
Nitrogen dioxide causes the formation of acid rain which damages our environment.
[noun] the practice or work of farming
Agriculture can both have positive and negative impacts in our environment.
1. REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE
A total of 40 billion plastic bags are used around annually by everyone in Japan. To prevent this from happening, avoid using single-use plastic bags and choose to carry around reusable things such as metal chopsticks or mugs and eco bags. This might be tough at first but as you do it every day, it will be a no-brainer routine in no time.
2. EVERYTHING COMES WITH A HIDDEN PRICE
In buying products, always go for the toughest, finest, and most resistant option in which you can use for a very long time. In this way, you don’t only help the environment by buying and throwing the same things repeatedly but also save your money. And if you’re only going to use something once, borrowing from a friend or from online sharing services would be the best option.
3. ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL
As an airplane takes flight, it fills the atmosphere with great amounts of pollutants such as dangerous carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Soon, airplanes will release tons of it which will continue to damage our atmosphere. So, instead of international trips, locally traveling by bus or train will help us make the pleasure of having a greener planet longer.
4. EAT LESS MEAT
The process of producing a large number of animals for food, cutting down forests for animal agriculture, and manure run-off contribute greenhouse gases in our environment. So instead of growing crops to feed animals that we’ll later on consume, it will be better if we just set aside the meat and be the one who’ll eat the crops instead. In that way, we don’t only save the earth but also make ourselves healthier.
5. GO AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS
It is not a secret that big businesses and governments are the biggest contributors to pollution. Climate Accountability Institute found out that every 90 fossil fuel businesses release 63% of harmful chemicals. We can help in solving this problem by using renewable energy in our homes such as solar panels.
6. CHANGES START AT HOME
Instead of waiting for big organizations and governments to make a move, why don’t we start doing the listed ways on how we can help fight climate change? Practice what we want to see and preach what we practice. We can influence other people if they can see great results in what we do.
We only have one Earth so start making a great difference for it now!