Open World p 56. The Environment. Speaking

1. What could be done to prevent air pollution from soaring above safety levels and in so doing avoid the depletion of the ozone layer?
2. Should speed limits be reduced in order to stop cars from whizzing, whooshing and zooming along the motorway? What would be the benefits and drawbacks of such a measure? Discuss how it could minimize traffic-related fatalities, why higher speeds contribute to higher risk of serious injuries, whether lower speed limits on motorways reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions and therefore help to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
3. What is the environmental impact of planes hurtling overhead on our island?  Are aircraft major contributors of carbon emissions to the atmosphere?
4.  Nearly half of all ocean pollution comes from activities that take place on land. Plastic pollution comes in all shapes and sizes. Larger pieces of plastic waste make up the Eastern Garbage Patch, a floating whirlpool of trash in the Pacific ocean that’s about the size of Spain. If this were not enough, agricultural run-off containing pesticides and fertilizers, sewage, garbage dumping, and chemical spills are polluting our oceans and creating huge dead zones —oxygen-depleted areas like the Mar Menor, where many marine species struggle to survive. And on top of all this oil spills also carry serious consequences. What are the solutions you propose?
5. There seems to be almost no limit to the damage people can cause to our planet. The signs and impacts of global warming are speeding up. What vital signs of climate change and global warming have you already experienced in your lifetime?
6. Governments in some countries are due to present new measures to reduce air pollution. These include financial support to insulate people's homes and to buy electric cars. What other measure do you think could be effective? What could be the next natural step?
7. A friend of yours is keyed up because he is about to refurbish his house. He is considering having double-glazing fitted and he is also exploring the option of having underfloor heating installed. What advice would you give him? What else can he do to become more environmentally friendly?
8. If you had to write a notice to raise awareness about environmental issues, what message would you write in big red letters so that it would stick out?
9. In some cities people can see how the smoke of carbon dioxide is drifting towards their windows. What measures aim to reduce the impact of fossil fuels burning in our cities? What could be better regulated or even banned?
10. Will some political parties eventually grudgingly agree to exploit renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power? Are offshore wind farms a solution you would go along with? Would you install a solar panel or a wind turbine on your property?

Add two more to ask a partner:
11. __________
12. __________