Prime Time 8. Coursebook plus Semester Self-checks, Schulbuch

2 Eco-friends Earth Summit In 1992, a UN conference called the Earth Summit ’92 met in Rio de Janeiro to consider the urgent need for development in developing countries. In Agenda 21 the participants of the conference laid down the principles of sustainable develop- ment. Development is sustainable when it meets the needs of the present without destroying the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. For a country, that means building markets and creating jobs, thereby including everybody in the process. The issues addressed included: • • systematic control of the handling of toxic components in the industry or poisonous waste including radioactive chemicals • • alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels • • new reliance on public transportation systems • • the growing lack of water a) Find reasons why each of the four issues above is important for the future of our planet. Which issues do you think should be prioritised for developing and developed countries? Make two lists. Are the two lists the same? Explain your reasons to the class. b) Compare the lists with our situation today and talk about them in class. Have we succeeded in tackling these issues? Why or why not? Listening: Severn Suzuki’s speech at the Summit a) You are going to listen to a speech by environmental activist Severn Suzuki from Canada, which she held at the Earth Summit when she was 13 years old. First you will have 45 seconds to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for each question (1–5). Put a cross ( ✘ ) in the correct box. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Who paid for Severn’s trip to Rio? a) Severn’s parents asked the ECO for help. b) Her friends Vanessa, Morgan and Michelle gave her the money. c) The UNO raised the money to travel there. d) She paid for the trip herself. ✘ 1 What has Severn stopped doing because of environmental issues? a) going out in the Sun b) going fishing c) doing sports outside d) using chemicals to protect her plants 2 According to Severn, how is she similar to the adults at the Summit? a) Neither she nor the adults can solve all environmental problems. b) When the adults were her age they also worried rainforests would cease to exist. c) They are both afraid of the holes in our ozone layer. d) Everyone is a father or mother of someone else. 1 2 1.3 26 Saving the planet Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv