Text Two
The Climate Book
adapted from a book by Greta Thunberg
In this passage, the writer suggests that climate change is already happening and
not enough is being done by people and governments to prevent it.
Maybe it is the name that is the problem. Climate change. It doesn’t sound that
bad. The word ‘change’ resonates quite pleasantly in our restless world. No matter
how fortunate we are, there is always room for that appealing possibility of
improvement. Then there is the ‘climate’ part. Again, it does not sound so bad. If
you live in many of the high-emitting nations¹ of the global north, the idea of a
‘changing climate’ could well be interpreted as the very opposite of scary and
dangerous. A changing world. A warming planet. What’s not to like? And perhaps
that is partly why so many people still think of climate change as a slow, linear and
even rather harmless process.
But the climate is not just changing. It is destabilising. It is breaking down. The
delicately balanced natural patterns and cycles that are a vital part of the systems
that sustain life on Earth are being disrupted, and the consequences could be
catastrophic. Because there are negative tipping points, points of no return. And we
do not know exactly when we might cross them. What we do know, however, is
that they are getting awfully close. Nothing big dies gently. Transformation often
starts slowly, but then it begins to accelerate.
The Greenland ice sheet is melting, as are the ‘doomsday glaciers²’ of west
Antarctica. Recent reports have stated that the tipping points for these two events
have already been passed. Other reports say they are imminent. That means we
might already have inflicted so much built-in warming that the melting process can
no longer be stopped, or that we are very close to that point. Either way, we must
do everything in our power to stop the process, because, once that invisible line has
been crossed, there might be no going back. We can slow it down, but once the
snowball has been set in motion it will just keep going.
‘This is the new normal’ is a phrase we often hear when the rapid changes in our
daily weather patterns — wildfires, hurricanes, heatwaves, floods, storms, droughts
— are being discussed. These weather events aren’t just increasing in frequency,
they are becoming increasingly larger and less natural. But this is not the ‘new
normal’. What we are experiencing now are only the very beginning of a changing
climate, the first acts of an enormous science-fiction movie. Earth’s natural
systems have been acting as a shock absorber, smoothing out the dramatic
transformations that are taking place. But as temperatures rise more and more, this
buffer will no longer be as effective. What we are about to experience, and more
clearly start to see entering, is a new and far more dramatic chapter.
Climate change has become a crisis sooner than expected. So many of the
researchers I’ve spoken to have said that they were shocked to witness how quickly
it is escalating. It seems like the vast majority of people were preparing for a
different, less urgent scenario. As if the real world climate crisis is not happening
in some faraway future. It’s happening right here and right now.
It will take many things for us to start facing the emergency — but above all, it
will take honesty, integrity and courage. The longer we wait to start taking the
action needed to halt the warming, the more dangerous the hard and compromising
fall will be that awaits us at the end of the road. The faster we move, the better our
chance of limiting the damage.
For us to have even a small chance of avoiding setting off irreversible chain
reactions far beyond human control, we need to end the burning of fossil fuels.
And we need to stop the emissions of greenhouse gases immediately, not by some
distant date far in the future. When your house is about to burn down, you don’t go
looking for buckets or start drawing up plans to build a new one. You act
immediately and without hesitation. Even at 1.5°C of warming, we risk going past
several tipping points and getting close to many irreversible and long-lasting
consequences.
We are approaching a precipice. And I would strongly suggest that those of us who
have not yet been greenwashed⁴ out of our senses stand our ground. Do not let
them drag you one inch closer to the edge. Not one inch. Right here, right now, is
where we draw the line.
Glossary
¹ high-emitting nations — countries that use a lot of fossil fuels (such as coal and
oil) to provide energy
² doomsday glaciers — glaciers which could raise sea levels massively if they melt
³ on steroids — super-charged
⁴ greenwashed — believing in false or misleading statements about the
environment
Text One
7 Ways In Which Youth Can Protect The Environment
adapted from a blog by Isha Reddy
In this passage, the American writer suggests possible actions that young people
can take to protect the environment.
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Our planet is our home [contrast], the place that sustains us; but are we living in
harmony with nature? [Rhetorical question] It seems like we humans have chosen
a path of self-destruction, destroying [negative language] the very home that
shelters us [imagery]. From rising carbon emissions, to deforestation and land
destruction, human activities are having detrimental effects on our ecosystems and
environmental biodiversity¹.
As teenagers, sometimes we feel helpless and powerless [emotional appeal],
unable to take action, or do things that really matter to us, since governments and
large businesses [contrast] are the ones taking vital decisions. While major
changes are only possible if countries and corporations alter their policies and
actions, we [inclusive pronouns] as individuals also have the potential to make a
difference, whether through small actions or larger initiatives.
Here are some ways in which you can [tonal shift] take control of your future, and
protect our environment and ecosystems:
---[subheadings]
1. Start Your Own Initiative or Volunteer With Environmental Organizations
Whether it’s something small like starting a community clean-up group, or
building a large social organization with significant reach and impact, taking
initiatives for environmental conservation can go a long way. You can also make
an impact by assisting environmental community groups. There are several ways in
which you can get involved, from running online awareness campaigns to offering
practical help like beach clean-ups and fundraising events. [relatable examples]
---
2. Reduce/Recycle Paper
What do you do with your old textbooks and novels that are not in use? Why not
donate them to juniors, or kids in your neighborhood, or send them across to
countries where children have little to no access to educational resources? While
books aren’t doing any harm sitting on a bookshelf, why not save resources by
putting them to re-use?
Similarly, recycling unwanted paper will reduce the raw material demand for paper
production, thus conserving trees and forest ecosystems. From online assignments,
to writing e-exams, thanks to the development of technology, paper isn’t
something that is necessary any more. By making use of smart technologies that
are available today, we can effortlessly shift away from paper-based activities, at
all levels.
3. Recycle More Often
Recycling is a simple, yet effective, way of conserving resources and reducing
your individual carbon footprint². Rather than throwing everything in the trash,
separate your plastic, paper and metal waste [listing], and deposit it in a recycling
bin. Recycling helps reduce landfill pollution and reduces the consumption of raw
materials and fossil fuels.
4. Save Resources
Did you know that only 0.03% of the 70% of water available to us is fresh water?
[shocking statistics] That’s why saving water is so important for fresh water
ecosystems. By doing simple things like taking shorter showers, avoiding using hot
water washes, and turning your taps off while brushing your teeth, you can save
gallons of water! Similarly, it’s important to be mindful of your electricity
consumption, and make adaptations so that, by doing our bit at home and work, we
can reduce fossil fuel dependency.
---
5. Buy Sustainable Products
Plastic is one of the most significant contributors to soil and marine pollution,
endangering both the land and marine life. Plastic isn’t biodegradable, and is often
consumed by animals who mistake it as food. When buying a product, be aware of
its environmental impact and disposal after use. Companies are now being
questioned on their environmental impact, and changing consumer habits are
compelling them to become more sustainable. When you’re stocking up on school
or office supplies like folders and pens, or buying toys and home accessories, try to
look for more eco-friendly alternatives that can replace plastic. For example, some
of us use so much plastic from buying bottled water every day, but buying your
own reusable water bottle is not only cheaper, but also much better for the
environment. Also, buying local products and produce is a great way to minimize
carbon footprint, as goods don’t have to travel longer distances and consume more
fuel for transportation.
---
6. Decrease Meat & Dairy Consumption
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global
warming. Livestock release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, so
excessive meat and dairy consumption has detrimental effects on our climate.
Additionally, unsustainable dairy and cattle farming leads to the destruction of
ecologically important areas such as wetlands and forests. Deforestation is
damaging habitats and natural ecosystems, which hundreds of species depend on
for survival. Thus, the only way we can prevent more damage is by being
responsible and eating less meat and dairy products.
---
7. Only Buy What You Need
Lastly, think about your purchasing habits. Do you buy too many products? Can
you do without some of the things that you often buy? Are you being a responsible
consumer? Simply buying more because of tempting offers or discounts will
actually cost us and the environment more. Whether it’s groceries, clothes,
accessories or home products, by purchasing only what you need you reduce the
amount of waste generated and thus pollution.
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¹ ecosystems and environmental biodiversity – the balance of plants and animals in
the natural environment
² carbon footprint – a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the
atmosphere as a result of human activities
