01. Interview

Our Question: a) Ask ten people what they think about: 1.The climate change 2.The possible consequences for your country – and take note of the answers. b) What do yout think about these answers?

02. Search the local newspapers of your country for articles about climate change.

Our Question: a) What kind of direct problems have been mentioned? b) What solutions have been proposed? c) What priority have these reports about climate change been given in the newspapers in your country? d) Which headline caught your eye and impressed you the most? Explain the reason why. e) Which headline would you give an article about climat change?

03. The topic of climate change arouses a number of strong emotions in people.

Our Question: a) Write down your emotional feelings for the words “anger, responsibility, hope and indifference” in connection with the topic of climate change. b) Which kind of emotion do you feel most strongly in connection with the topic of climate change? (This does not have to be one of the four mentioned above). Explain the reasons why.

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01. Interview

Our Answer: Yoshino K.: One person I interviewed thinks climate change is real. She says the fishing season for Saury fish has changed. Kushiro used to have the biggest Saury catch, but now the Saury go south sooner. This phenomenon must be caused by climate change. I have noticed too that there are fewer Saury fish in the supermarket. This affects our economy. We know that the price of fish is increasing and our favorite fish to eat come from far overseas. Fish just isn't cheap anymore and we will have to change our staple diet. Another person I interviewed said the Kushiro Wetlands were shrinking. Less fog is one of the reasons for that. Climate change is surely responsible. Not only the Japanese map but the world map could change in the future. I suspected that the world map was changing. It has been said that the surface of the sea is increasing because the Arctic ice is melting. Some land might soon be under water. Japanese land could get smaller. That means we might not be able to grow enough food. If that happens all over the world, we might face a food shortage. Moe S.: I asked my brother. Climate change is emphasized a lot here. However, he doesn't think it is important! He thinks climate change will make life more comfortable by giving us more warm days. He doesn't like the cold. I disagree with him. I know that if the sea rises by one meter, we will lose 90% of our beaches! Japan is an island country, so the rise in sea level will cause much of our country to disappear. I asked my friend. She thinks climate change must be prevented because we have to consider people around the world and our future. If we do nothing, then our descendants will have to take care of the problem. She thinks that is irresponsible. Also, climate change will affect agriculture in Japan. Japan's traditional farming culture may disappear. I agree with her opinion. We shouldn't only think of ourselves, we should consider future families. I think we have to think about the future. Nobuko S.: One person told me climate change has been happening many times in the past. This phenomenon isn't just a recent occurrence. I don't agree with her opinion. Climate change which happened a long time ago is caused by Earth. However, climate change happening now is caused by human activity, for example, driving. Another person feels climate change is a serious problem. A consequence is that skin cancer has increased. Another possible consequence is that many animals will become extinct. I agree with him. Some kinds of animals are already extinct. I think in my country poverty and drought will also happen.

02. Search the local newspapers of your country for articles about climate change.

Our Answer: In the recent newspaper, it was reported that farmers have difficulty in growing different kinds of fruit. Apples and pears growing too much, grape having unusual colors and spongy orange have been found. This is because spring comes earlier and winter comes later these years. Farmers and related organizations are now trying to improve the quality by changing their cultivation practice and changing the breed varieties. Nowadays we see many articles about the impact of global warming in our country. Every year we hear that cherry blossoms are affected. Many Japanese care about the most beautiful cherry blossom season because you feel spring has come and around this season, our school will start.It gives me the feeling that everything start fresh and new.

03. The topic of climate change arouses a number of strong emotions in people.

Our Answer: I feel anger if I hear news about affected people from climate change, responsibility about emitting greenhouse gases, hope that many northern countries that emit much emission will collaborate to reduce emissions and feel said that many people feel indifference about this. I feel responsibility the most, because my country emit much greenhouse gas.

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