The city of São Paulo has also been heavily impacted by the heat, with average temperatures reaching 37.3C on Tuesday. The National Institute of Meteorology has issued red alerts for a large part of the country, indicating that temperatures may be 5C above average for an extended period of time, posing a serious health risk. The heatwave has led to a surge in energy consumption as people try to stay cool.
This heatwave is occurring more than a month before the start of summer in the southern hemisphere. Inmet research has shown that the average temperature in Brazil has been above the historical average from July to October. Climate change is causing extreme weather events to become more frequent and intense worldwide, and heatwaves are expected to continue increasing in length and intensity as long as greenhouse gas emissions continue.
In addition to climate change, Brazil is currently experiencing an El Niño weather phase, which typically leads to higher global temperatures. The heatwave is expected to persist until at least Friday, affecting cities like São Paulo. The extreme heat has made it difficult for people to work and sleep, with some describing the conditions as unbearable. It is crucial for individuals and governments to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.
Original news source: Brazil: Health warnings as country gripped by 'unbearable' heatwave (BBC)
📖 Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Students will be asked to read the article individually and then summarize the main points in one to two minutes in front of the class. This will not only test their comprehension but also their ability to condense information and present it clearly.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements about climate change, heatwaves, and potential solutions. Students will walk around the classroom and poll their classmates, asking if they agree or disagree with each statement. Afterward, discuss the results in class and how opinions compare to the perspectives mentioned in the article.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the term "heatwave" on the board. Students are to call out words or phrases that they associate with this term based on the article, such as "El Niño," "climate change," "red alert," "energy consumption," etc. This will activate their prior knowledge and help with vocabulary reinforcement.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: After discussing the article, students will write down their predictions about the future impact of climate change on global weather patterns and what actions they think will be taken. They will then share their predictions in small groups and discuss the likelihood and potential impact of each prediction.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article, such as "What measures can individuals and governments take to combat the effects of extreme heatwaves?" Students first think about their answer individually, then pair up with a partner to discuss their thoughts, and finally, share their findings with the larger group. This will encourage critical thinking and collaborative learning.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
Rio de Janeiro recorded a temperature of 42.5C on Sunday.
The high humidity has made it feel even hotter, reaching a staggering 58.5C.
The heatwave is expected to continue until at least Friday.
Officials attribute the heatwave to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change.
The heatwave has led to a surge in energy consumption as people try to stay cool.
Summer officially starts more than a month after the occurrence of the heatwave, which is happening before the start of summer in the southern hemisphere.
Inmet research has shown that the average temperature in Brazil has been above the historical average from July to October.
The two suggested courses of action are to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and to protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Brazil is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with red alerts being issued for nearly 3,000 and cities. The city of Rio de Janeiro recorded a of 42.5C on , which is a record for November. The high humidity has made it feel even hotter, reaching a staggering 58.5C. This extreme heat has affected over a hundred million and is expected to continue until at least Friday. Officials attribute this heatwave to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change. The city of São has also been heavily impacted by the heat, with average temperatures reaching 37.3C on . The National Institute of Meteorology has red alerts for a large part of the country, indicating that temperatures may be 5C above average for an extended of time, posing a serious health risk. The heatwave has led to a surge in energy consumption as people try to stay cool. This heatwave is occurring more than a month before the start of summer in the southern hemisphere. Inmet research has that the average temperature in Brazil has been above the historical average from July to October. Climate change is causing extreme weather events to become more frequent and intense worldwide, and heatwaves are to continue increasing in length and intensity as long as greenhouse gas emissions continue. In to change, Brazil is currently experiencing an El Niño weather phase, which typically leads to higher global temperatures. The heatwave is expected to until at least Friday, affecting cities like São Paulo. The extreme heat has made it for people to work and sleep, with some the as unbearable. It is crucial for individuals and governments to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.
💬 Discussion Questions:
1. What is your personal definition of a heatwave, and have you ever experienced one?
2. How would you feel if your hometown recorded temperatures above 40C?
3. Do you think that the city infrastructure where you live is prepared for extreme heat events? Why or why not?
4. What measures do you take to stay cool during a heatwave?
5. Have you or someone you know ever suffered from heat-related illnesses, and how did you cope with it?
6. Do you believe that climate change is affecting the weather patterns in your country? Can you give examples?
7. How do you think governments should address the health risks associated with extreme heat?
8. What is your opinion on the role of greenhouse gas emissions in climate change?
9. Do you think that the occurrence of events like El Niño is well understood by the public, and why is awareness important?
10. How do you feel about the surge in energy consumption during heatwaves, considering its environmental impact?
11. What are some ways individuals can reduce their carbon footprint to help mitigate climate change?
12. Do you think that extreme weather events will become the new normal, and how should societies adapt?
13. In your opinion, what are the most vulnerable populations to extreme heat, and how can they be protected?
14. How would you describe the relationship between human activity and climate phenomena like El Niño?
15. Do you like the idea of living in a place with a hot climate year-round? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
🕵️ True or False Questions:
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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