Class Discussion and Debating

Reflection for your presentation: As you practice this with your partner, remember that the use of "Should," "Had," and "Were" at the beginning of your sentences provides a formal and persuasive tone that is perfect for a classroom debate. 

Global Warming: Problem and Solution Presentation

1. Defining the Problem

• Global warming is a real environmental crisis involving the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature.

• "If we continue to rely on fossil fuels, the global climate will become increasingly unstable".

• Some industries currently act as if the planet’s resources were infinite, ignoring the environmental damage caused by their emissions.

2. Hypothetical Impact (Unreal Conditionals)

• "If the technology were to become available" on a mass scale, we would be able to transition more quickly to renewable energy.

• "If it were not for" the continued reliance on carbon-intensive energy grids, our global temperature increase would be much easier to manage.

• "Were it not for" the efforts of environmental scientists and activists, the public's awareness of the risks would be significantly lower.

3. Proposed Solutions (Formal Inversion & Constraints)

• "Should" governments implement immediate, strict carbon taxes, we would see a rapid decrease in industrial emissions.

• "Had" we transitioned to sustainable energy sources decades ago, the current rate of ice cap melting would be much less severe.

• "Unless" we take radical action to reduce our carbon footprint, it will be impossible to mitigate the most dangerous effects of the crisis.

• It is vital that societies consider whether or not our current economic model can survive without a complete shift to green energy.

• "If you happen to be" in a position to influence local policy, you should advocate for clean energy infrastructure.