General English B1

General English Level B1

Renewable Energy

ESL Pals

General English

ESL Pals

WARM UP: RENEWABLE ENERGY

a. Do you know what "renewable energy" means? b. Are renewable energy sources like wind and solar power common in your country? c. Do you use public transportation, walk, or bike to reduce pollution? d. What small changes can you make at home to help the environment? e. How could you use less electricity, water or energy in your daily life? f. Do you recycle at home? Is it mandatory in your country?

Task2: Discuss the following lead-in questions as a class.

7. ________________________ 8. ________________________ 9. _______________________

4. ________________________ 5. ________________________ 6. _______________________

1. ________________________ 2. ________________________ 3. _______________________

hydrodam

drought

wildfire

solar panel

Task 1: Match the words from the box to the images.

coal

flooding

nuclear power

wind farm

wind turbine

DO WE NEED RENEWABLE ENERGY? Watch the video “Renewable Energy 101” by National Geographic.

Task 1: Choose the correct definition for each of the words listed (1-7).

VIDEO: VOCABULARY

Start

quiz

Question 1/10

Question 2/10

Question 3/10

Question 4/10

Question 5/10

Question 6/10

Question 7/10

Well done!

biomass

fastest-growing

greenhouse gas

pollution

General English

1. Renewable energy is generated from sources that naturally replenish themselves and never run out. The most common sources are solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and _______________. 2. Over 80 percent of the total energy consumed by humans is derived from fossil fuels. However, renewables are the _______________ source of energy in the world. 3. Renewable energy has many benefits. First, it can combat climate change because it creates no direct _______________ emissions. The only emissions that they produceare indirect, meaning those that result from manufacturing parts, installation,operation, and maintenance, but even those are minimal. 4. Second, renewable energy can decrease _______________ and therefore reduce threats to our health. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric systems create no air pollutionemissions, and geothermal and biomass energy systems' emissions are much lowerthan non-renewable energy sources.

Task1: Complete the quotes from the video using the words in the box.

VIDEO: QUOTES

Batteries

run out

wildlife

fossil fuels

General English

5. Renewable energy is a reliable source of power because renewable energy sources will never _____________________. Once built, renewable facilities cost very little to operate, and the fuel is often free. As a result, renewable energy prices tend to be stable over time. 6. While renewable energy has many advantages, it is not without downsides. It is difficult for renewable energy sources to generate power on the same large scale as______________. 7. Building wind farms and dams can disrupt _______________ and migration patterns and lead to ecological destruction. Both solar and wind energy are intermittent; they only generate power while the sun is shining or while the wind is blowing. 8. ______________can store excess energy for later use; however, they are often costly.

Task 2: Complete the quotes from the video using the words in the box.

VIDEO: COMPREHENSION

concisely

Calmly and _____________ . Summarize the content.

Natural sources

1. What is renewable energy primarily derived from?_____________ .

Design

Nuclear power

Fossil fuels

Concisely

Magic

Natuaral sources

Natural gas

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a source of renewable energy?____________

Emissions from manufacturing parts.

What is one of the indirect emissions associated with renewable energy? _____________ .

FILL IN THE BLANKS

It generates power on a larger scale than fossil fuels

Natural gas

Greenhouse gas emissions.

Emissions from manufacturing parts

Geothermal

It is cheaper than fossil fuels

Ecological destruction emissions

It creates no direct greenhouse gase missions

Solar

It creates no direct greenhouse gase missions.

Why is renewable energy considered a key solution to combat climate change _____________ .

General English

ESL Pals

a. Store excess energy in batteries. b. Build more wind farms. c. Increase use of fossil fuels.

7. What is a potential solution to the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy?

a. It has no downsides and is the only source of energy we should use. b. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels but comes with challenges c. It is the perfect solution to all environmental problems.

8. What is the overall message of the video regarding renewable energy?

a. It creates high levels of pollution. b. It is costly to operate. c. It disrupts wildlife and ecological systems.

1. What is one downside of renewable energy mentioned in the video?

a. Prices increase dramatically. b. Prices stay the same. c. Prices decrease as technology advances.

6. How do renewable energy prices typically behave overtime?

General English

ESL Pals

1. What have you done today that has used your country’s energy? 2. Does your country use a lot of renewable energy? 3. What type of renewable energy is most abundant in your country? 4. Have you seen any effects of climate change in your country? 5. Do you think climate change will significantly impact your future or the future of your children or grandchildren? 6. Would you pay to have solar panels installed on your house, or should the government pay for them? 7. Would you be for or against a new wind farm being built in your town? 8. How would you feel if the government built a dam for hydroelectric energy in your region's nature reserve? 9. How do your friends and family feel about changing from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy? 10. Have you seen an increase in the use of electric cars in your country?

Task: Discuss the following video and topic-based questions as a class.

VIDEO AND TOPIC: DISCUSSION

General English

Study the arguments. Decide if you agree or disagree with each person, explaining why. Adapt the language from the table to use in your argument. Have fun!

Liam: "Individual changes don't make a difference. Big companies are the main polluters, so governments need to regulate them."

Darren: "Wind farms are ugly, and they damage local ecosystems, so they should be banned."

Amy: "Climate change is a natural process, not caused by human activity."

Richard: "Air travel should not be restricted, as it will ruin economies that depend on tourism."

Jim: "All petrol cars should be banned to reduce pollution. Electric cars are the future."

I don’t agree with you about… I can’t accept your view that… I have a different opinion… I’m not sure if… I’m not convinced that…

Express disagreement

So, in conclusion… To summarise.. Overall, it is clear that… As a result.. The bottom line is...

Summarise

There are two sides to this point... On the one hand…,on the other hand… An argument for / against is… Some people think that…,others say that… The advantages / disadvantages are...

Express pro’s and con’s

It seems to me that… I feel that… I’m absolutely convinced that… In my opinion,… I believe / suppose / feel (that)…

Express an opinion

LET’S DEBATE

General English

Task 2: Match the most suitable renewable energy source from the box to the countries.

Iceland: Located in a volcanic region, Iceland experiences significant geothermal activity, with hot springs and geysers scattered across its landscape. The earth's natural heat is a key feature of this country's energy profile. Energy source: ________________________________________________________________.

Denmark: Situated on a windy coastline, Denmark experiences strong winds throughout the year, especially along its long shores. The breezes are powerful and consistent, providing a natural force for energy generation. Energy source: ________________________________________________________________.

Brazil: Brazil is criss-crossed by numerous rivers and waterfalls. Heavy rainfall throughout the year feeds these water bodies, creating a powerful and continuous flow that has been harnessed for energy. Energy source: ________________________________________________________________.

Canada: With expansive forests and agricultural lands, Canada has a rich supply of organic materials. The warm, temperate climate promotes lush vegetation, providing a steady supply of natural resources for energy production. Energy source: ________________________________________________________________.

Australia: With vast deserts and over 300 sunny days each year, Australia experiences extreme heat in summer, with mild winters. The clear skies make it ideal for harnessing natural resources from the abundant sunlight. Energy source: ________________________________________________________________.

wind

solar

Task 1: Read about the climates of 5 countries in the boxes below.

biomass

geothermal

hydropower

CHOOSE THE RENEWABLE

General English

"The Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones; we transitioned to better solutions. The same opportunity lies before us with energy efficiency and clean energy." - Steven Chu.

1. Discuss the meaning of each quote. 2. How could you apply the meaning of each quote to your life? 3. To what extent do you agree/disagree with each quote? 4. Can you think of any real-life example where you have seen the meaning of each quote in practice?

Task: Use the following prompts to discusss thesefamous quotes.

"You can't change the past, but you can change the future." - Bernard Marcus.

"Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security, and a brighter future for all." - Ban Ki-moon.

"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan.

"The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth." - Marlee Matlin.

"We won't have a society if we destroy the environment." - Margaret Meat.

"The future will either be green or not at all." - Bob Brown.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

CLIMATE CHANGE: QUOTES

General English

10

a. What is renewable energy? b. Describe the consequences of climate change you have seen in your life. c. Describe how you could use renewable energy in your life. d. What are the benefits of using renewable energy? e. What are the challenges of using renewable energy? f. Summarise the key things you learned in the text, and in the lesson.

Task 2: On a separate piece of paper, write detailed answers to the following questions.

In recent years, climate change has become an urgent issue affecting our planet. The use of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil for energy production has led to increased pollution and ecological destruction. Climate change leads to severe consequences like flooding, wildfires, and droughts due to rising greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is hope in the form of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is the key to decreasing the negative impact of climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are clean and sustainable. Three important types of renewable energy are hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy. Hydroelectric energy is generated from the power of water, often through dams. It is an eco-friendly choice that reduces emissions and stops the risk of flooding in some areas. Geothermal energy relies on the Earth's internal heat, and it's a reliable source that doesn't lead to harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Biomass energy uses organic materials like wood, making it both renewable and contributing to less pollution. Using renewable energy can have a significant impact on climate change. By changing from fossil fuels to renewables, we can reduce pollution, prevent ecological destruction, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This, in turn, helps lessen the negative effects of climate change. One of the most evident consequences of climate change is flooding. As temperatures rise, polar ice caps melt, causing sea levels to increase. Renewable energy sources can slow down this process by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and lessening the rate of ice melt. Wildfires, on the other hand, are often exacerbated by prolonged droughts caused byclimate change. Using renewable energy reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, which in turn helps reduce droughts, protecting our environment and communities.

CLIMATE CHANGE: ARTICLE

HOMEWORK

Goodbye! See you next time!

ESL Pals