Writing for an Academic Discussion Drastic change or contiuance of the movements to protect the ecosystem? - revised -

１ Can individual actions significantly mitigate climate change, or are broader systemic changes by corporations and governments necessary?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Paraphrase Maria’s point. Provide a case in point.

2.        Paraphrase James’s point. Provide a case in point.

3.        Share case in points for Question 1 and 2 above.

 

 

☆Hints for Points

We need a drastic change by governments and huge corporations.

1.        Global warming has accelerated despite a global grassroot environmental movement that started in the 1970’s.

2.        Corporations greenwash themselves and environmental leaders have become cozy with huge corporations for money.

3.        We have come to the point that there is no other solutions but to slowdown development.

4.        Green New Deal should be continued.

 

Individual actions count.

1.        Most people have finally realized that global warming is real and that it is man-made. Thus, it is easy to organize them for actions than before.

2.        Climate change would have gone worse without grassroots.

3.        Young power like Fridays for Future will make a difference.

 

 

☆Response for Ideas and Expressions

I totally agree with Maria. Grassroot movements and renewable energy industry have failed to stop global warming from going over the point of no return, so we need some drastic policy change involving the government and huge corporations. As the documentary “Planet of the Humans” reports, so-called sustainable energy such as solar, wind, and biomass energy sources are actually no more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. Not only do they release a large amount of CO2 when they are built but they contribute to destruction of nature. Solar energy facilities upset large areas of nature, and solar panels release toxic substances when they break down. Wind energy facilities get old in ten years. Biomass burn trees and garbage. In addition, EV batteries are inefficient. Nuclear energy is obviously dangerous. Furthermore, there are collusions between leaders of environmental protection and huge corporations. On the other hand, there are proofs that government-level policy changes have huge impacts on our lifestyle. For example, Japan has done well without nuclear energy since Fukushima meltdown in 2011. Also, during the lockdown in 2020, the world was forced to slow down and saw that we can manage to live without such constant development as we have been obsessed with since the Industrial Revolution. Moreover, the atmosphere was purified that year. Therefore, we need to first cut back on energy use and adapt to the new reduced lifestyle accordingly through cooperation of corporations under government initiative.   (239 words)

 

☆Response plan

Topic Sentence:

Supporting Details:

Conclusion:

Write your response in 10 minutes. Show each other your responses. Write down questions or suggestions to each other’s response.

 

 

                                                 DRAFT