Unit 8, exercise 25b George Monbiot George Monbiot is an English writer and environmental activist. After what he saw as the failure of the latest intergovernmental climate change talks, he became more pessimistic than ever. Monbiot thinks that we have already passed some of the tipping points, which means that even if we slow down or stop our carbon emissions, there will still be catastrophic results. But that isn’t what worries him the most. For Monbiot, the major concern is that we are focusing on the wrong thing. We might be able to change our energy systems, especially in transport, from fossil fuels to electrical power in quite a short space of time, but that will just introduce new problems. What about the mining of the elements and minerals that battery-powered cars need, for instance? This will exploit poorer countries and cause its own environmental and pollution problems. He thinks that we need a radical rethink of all our transport and communication systems, and that we should build into our cities the possibility of meeting all our needs – food, employment, education, entertainment – within walking distance. He is not hopeful that there is the political will for this to be done. Group A Unit 12, exercise 19 You are a candidate: 1 Think of skills and abilities which might be suitable for the job. Remember to present yourself in a positive light: How can you appear confident, but not arrogant? How will you sell yourself? What will you ask the employer? 2 Introduce yourself appropriately. Describe your skills and abilities in line with what the interviewer asks. Then move to another interview. 3 Listen to the evaluation. Do you think it is fair? What comments do you have about the employers and the interviews? Student B Unit 10, exercise 1a Austria Imports By Country 2019 1.4% Belgium 5.7% Switzerland 7.2% China 4.2% Czech... 35% Germany 1.7% Spain 2.6% France 1.5% Croatia 2.7% Hungary India Ireland 6.4% Italy 1.4% Japan Kazakhstan South... 2.8% Netherlands 3.2% Poland 1.1% Russia 2.1% Slovakia 1.4% Slovenia 0.96% Sweden 1.2% Turkey Ukraine 3.7% United States Vietnam Countries Continents Austria: imports by country 2019 shares in percent, COMTRADE database Student B 1 Why does Monbiot think that we can’t avoid catastrophic climate change? 2 Why doesn’t Monbiot think that decarbonisation will solve our environmental problems? 3 What does Monbiot think might be a better solution, and is he confident it will be implemented? 4 Mark any points you agree and disagree with. Look at the chart. Answer these questions. 1 What does the chart illustrate? 2 Which period is covered? Where does the data come from? Prepare to describe the chart to your partner. 217 A Activities Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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