The next big climate meeting, called COP28, will take place in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is one of the top oil producers. Some people are upset about this because the UAE team wants to use the meeting to make deals for oil and gas. People are questioning if a summit in a country that makes a lot of money from oil can really make a difference in fighting climate change. Greta Thunberg, a famous climate activist, has criticized these UN climate summits for not taking enough action. But the COP process is important because it brings world leaders together to talk about the climate crisis.

The first time that countries around the world agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions was only eight years ago at COP21 in Paris. Almost 200 countries promised to keep global temperature rises below 2 degrees Celsius and try to limit them to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This was a big step forward and led to more action on climate change. But we still need to do more to reach the goals set in Paris. This will be a big topic at the COP28 conference.

One of the main goals of COP28 is to make the promises that governments make, called “Nationally Determined Contributions” or NDCs, more detailed. They want to include emissions from all parts of the economy, like food and farming. They also want to make countries more responsible for keeping their promises. Right now, countries don’t have to take action if they don’t want to.

Money is another important issue at the conference. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are now cheaper than fossil fuels in many cases. The UAE wants to get the world to triple its renewable energy by 2030 and make buildings and machines more energy efficient. But these changes need a lot of money upfront. Also, helping developing countries deal with climate change and switch to clean energy will cost trillions of dollars.

The discussions at the conference will also focus on the unfairness in the world. Rich countries got wealthy by using fossil fuels, but now poorer countries need help to go green and deal with the effects of climate change. Rich countries promised to give $100 billion each year to help developing countries fight climate change, and it seems like they have finally done it. But there are still arguments about which countries will give money to help the poorest countries deal with climate disasters.

Lastly, they will talk about what to do about fossil fuels in the long run. Should we gradually use less of them or set a date to stop using them completely? This is an important question because the conference is being held in a country that wants to produce more oil. The president of COP28 supports using less oil, but many countries, including the UAE, want to keep using it.

Original news source: COP28: Can a climate summit in an oil state change anything? (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and summarize the main points in a brief news summary.
4. Each group will then present their summary to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Write a series of questions related to the topic of the article, such as: “Do you think hosting COP28 in a country that makes a lot of money from oil is a good idea?” or “Should rich countries give more money to help developing countries fight climate change?”
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Instruct the groups to discuss the questions and record their opinions.
4. After the discussion, conduct a class poll where each group shares their opinions and the class votes on each question.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Choose 10 key vocabulary words from the article, such as: COP28, emissions, renewable energy, fossil fuels, etc.
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Provide each group with a list of the vocabulary words.
4. Instruct the groups to take turns drawing one of the vocabulary words and having their partner guess what it is.
5. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the pros and one group representing the cons.
2. Instruct each group to come up with arguments and reasons to support their side of the following statement: “Hosting COP28 in a country that makes a lot of money from oil is a good/bad idea.”
3. Give the groups time to prepare their arguments.
4. Conduct a class debate where each group presents their arguments and counters the arguments of the opposing group.

– Headline Creation
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to come up with a catchy headline that summarizes the main idea of the article.
3. Give the groups time to brainstorm and write their headlines.
4. Each group will then present their headline to the class and explain why they chose it.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the main concern some people have about hosting COP28 in Dubai?
2. Who has criticized the UN climate summits for not taking enough action?
3. When did countries around the world agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions for the first time?
4. What are “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs)?
5. Why is money an important issue at the conference?
6. Why do rich countries need to help developing countries go green and deal with climate change?
7. What is the main topic of discussion regarding fossil fuels at the conference?
8. What is the stance of the president of COP28 on using oil?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The next big climate meeting, called COP28, will take place in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is one of the top oil producers. Some people are upset about this because the UAE team wants to use the meeting to make deals for oil and gas. People are questioning if a (1)______ in a country that makes a lot of money from oil can really make a difference in fighting climate change. Greta Thunberg, a famous climate activist, has criticized these UN climate summits for not taking enough action. But the COP process is important because it (2)______ world (3)______ together to talk about the climate crisis.

The first time that countries around the world (4)______ to cut greenhouse gas emissions was only eight years ago at COP21 in (5)______. Almost 200 countries (6)______ to keep global temperature rises below 2 degrees Celsius and try to limit them to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This was a big step forward and led to more action on climate change. But we still need to do more to reach the goals set in Paris. This will be a big topic at the COP28 conference.

One of the main goals of COP28 is to make the promises that governments make, called “Nationally (7)______ Contributions” or NDCs, more detailed. They want to include emissions from all parts of the economy, like food and farming. They also want to make countries more responsible for (8)______ their promises. Right now, countries don’t have to take action if they don’t want to.

(9)______ is another important issue at the conference. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are now cheaper than fossil fuels in many (10)______. The UAE wants to get the world to triple its renewable energy by 2030 and make (11)______ and machines more energy efficient. But these changes need a lot of (12)______ upfront. Also, helping developing countries deal with climate change and switch to clean energy will cost trillions of dollars.

The discussions at the conference will also focus on the unfairness in the world. Rich countries got wealthy by using fossil fuels, but now poorer countries need help to go green and deal with the effects of (13)______ change. Rich (14)______ promised to give $100 billion each year to help developing countries fight climate change, and it seems like they have finally done it. But there are still arguments about which countries will give money to help the poorest countries deal with climate disasters.

Lastly, they will talk about what to do about fossil fuels in the long run. Should we gradually use less of them or set a date to stop using them completely? This is an important question because the conference is being held in a country that (15)______ to (16)______ more oil. The president of COP28 supports using less oil, but many countries, including the UAE, want to keep using it.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the COP28 conference and why is it important?
2. How would you feel if the country hosting the climate conference is a top oil producer?
3. Do you think a summit in a country that makes money from oil can make a difference in fighting climate change? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about Greta Thunberg’s criticism of the UN climate summits? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
5. How do you think the COP21 conference in Paris made a difference in the fight against climate change?
6. Do you think we have done enough to reach the goals set in Paris? Why or why not?
7. What do you understand by the term “Nationally Determined Contributions” or NDCs? Why are they important?
8. How would you feel if countries didn’t have to take action on climate change if they didn’t want to? Why?
9. What do you think about the UAE’s goal to triple renewable energy by 2030? Do you think it is achievable? Why or why not?
10. How do you think renewable energy sources can help combat climate change?
11. Do you think it is fair for rich countries to help developing countries deal with climate change? Why or why not?
12. What do you understand by the term “fossil fuels”? Why are they a concern in the fight against climate change?
13. How would you feel if countries gradually used less fossil fuels? Why?
14. Do you think we should set a date to stop using fossil fuels completely? Why or why not?
15. What do you think about the UAE’s stance on using oil? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. climate
2. summit
3. emissions
4. renewable
5. developing
6. fossil fuels
7. goals
8. unfairness

Meanings:
(a) The weather conditions in a particular area
(b) The gases released into the air, causing pollution
(c) Energy sources that can be used over and over again
(d) A meeting where important topics are discussed
(e) The lack of equality or justice in a situation
(f) Fuels like coal, oil, and gas that come from the ground
(g) Countries that are still growing and need support
(h) Targets or objectives that you want to achieve
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where will the next big climate meeting, COP28, take place?
(a) Paris
(b) London
(c) Dubai
(d) Berlin

2. Why are some people upset about the location of COP28?
(a) The UAE team wants to focus on renewable energy
(b) The UAE team wants to discuss climate change action
(c) The UAE team wants to help developing countries
(d) The UAE team wants to make deals for oil and gas

3. Who has criticized UN climate summits for not taking enough action?
(a) Greta Thunberg
(b) The president of COP28
(c) The UAE team
(d) World leaders

4. When did countries around the world agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions?
(a) Five years ago at COP28 in Dubai
(b) Eight years ago at COP21 in Paris
(c) Ten years ago at COP14 in Berlin
(d) Three years ago at COP18 in London

5. What were the goals set at COP21 in Paris?
(a) Keep global temperature rises below 3 degrees Celsius
(b) Keep global temperature rises below 2 degrees Celsius
(c) Keep global temperature rises below 1 degree Celsius
(d) Keep global temperature rises below 4 degrees Celsius

6. What is one of the main goals of COP28?
(a) Increase the use of fossil fuels
(b) Reduce renewable energy sources
(c) Make the promises that governments make, called “Nationally Determined Contributions” or NDCs, more detailed
(d) Decrease energy efficiency

7. What is an important issue at the conference?
(a) Money and funding for renewable energy and climate change efforts
(b) The location of the conference
(c) The role of Greta Thunberg in climate activism
(d) The impact of climate change on developing countries

8. What will be discussed at the conference regarding fossil fuels?
(a) Whether to increase the production of fossil fuels
(b) Whether to continue using fossil fuels indefinitely
(c) Whether to switch entirely to renewable energy sources
(d) Whether to gradually use less of them or set a date to stop using them completely

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The COP process is trivial because it brings world leaders together to discuss the climate crisis.
2. Some people are pleased about the choice of location because the UAE wants to make deals for oil and gas during the meeting.
3. The first time countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions was at COP21 in Paris, which took place eight years ago.
4. The next big climate meeting, called COP28, will be held in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
5. Discussions at the conference will also focus on the unfairness in the world, as richer countries need to support poorer countries in their efforts to combat climate change.
6. The main goal of COP28 is to make the promises that governments make, called “Nationally Determined Contributions” or NDCs, more detailed.
7. Greta Thunberg, a famous climate activist, has praised previous UN climate summits for taking enough action.
8. Money is an insignificant issue at the conference, as renewable energy sources and helping developing countries transition to clean energy require minimal upfront costs.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why are some people upset about the next climate meeting being held in Dubai?
2. What was the main goal of the COP21 conference in Paris?
3. What is one of the main goals of the upcoming COP28 conference?
4. Why is money an important issue at the conference?
5. What is one of the topics of discussion at the conference regarding fossil fuels?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the main concern some people have about hosting COP28 in Dubai?
Some people are concerned that hosting COP28 in Dubai, a country that makes a lot of money from oil, might hinder progress in fighting climate change.

2. Who has criticized the UN climate summits for not taking enough action?
Greta Thunberg, a famous climate activist, has criticized the UN climate summits for not taking enough action.

3. When did countries around the world agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions for the first time?
Countries around the world agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions for the first time at COP21 in Paris, which took place eight years ago.

4. What are “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs)?
“Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs) are the promises that governments make to cut greenhouse gas emissions. At COP28, the goal is to make these promises more detailed and include emissions from all parts of the economy.

5. Why is money an important issue at the conference?
Money is an important issue at the conference because making changes to combat climate change, such as increasing renewable energy and helping developing countries, requires a lot of upfront funding. Additionally, rich countries have promised to give money to help developing countries fight climate change, but there are still arguments about which countries will provide the funds.

6. Why do rich countries need to help developing countries go green and deal with climate change?
Rich countries need to help developing countries go green and deal with climate change because they got wealthy by using fossil fuels, while poorer countries need support to transition to clean energy and cope with the effects of climate change.

7. What is the main topic of discussion regarding fossil fuels at the conference?
The main topic of discussion regarding fossil fuels at the conference is whether we should gradually use less of them or set a date to stop using them completely.

8. What is the stance of the president of COP28 on using oil?
The president of COP28 supports using less oil, but many countries, including the UAE, want to continue using it.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) summit
(2) brings
(3) leaders
(4) agreed
(5) Paris
(6) promised
(7) Determined
(8) keeping
(9) Money
(10) cases
(11) buildings
(12) money
(13) climate
(14) countries
(15) wants
(16) produce
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. climate
Answer: (a) The weather conditions in a particular area

2. summit
Answer: (d) A meeting where important topics are discussed

3. emissions
Answer: (b) The gases released into the air, causing pollution

4. renewable
Answer: (c) Energy sources that can be used over and over again

5. developing
Answer: (g) Countries that are still growing and need support

6. fossil fuels
Answer: (f) Fuels like coal, oil, and gas that come from the ground

7. goals
Answer: (h) Targets or objectives that you want to achieve

8. unfairness
Answer: (e) The lack of equality or justice in a situation
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where will the next big climate meeting, COP28, take place?
Answer: (c) Dubai

2. Why are some people upset about the location of COP28?
Answer: (d) The UAE team wants to make deals for oil and gas

3. Who has criticized UN climate summits for not taking enough action?
Answer: (a) Greta Thunberg

4. When did countries around the world agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions?
Answer: (b) Eight years ago at COP21 in Paris

5. What were the goals set at COP21 in Paris?
Answer: (b) Keep global temperature rises below 2 degrees Celsius

6. What is one of the main goals of COP28?
Answer: (c) Make the promises that governments make, called “Nationally Determined Contributions” or NDCs, more detailed

7. What is an important issue at the conference?
Answer: (a) Money and funding for renewable energy and climate change efforts

8. What will be discussed at the conference regarding fossil fuels?
Answer: (d) Whether to gradually use less of them or set a date to stop using them completely
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The COP process is trivial because it brings world leaders together to discuss the climate crisis. (Answer: False)
2. Some people are pleased about the choice of location because the UAE wants to make deals for oil and gas during the meeting. (Answer: False)
3. The first time countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions was at COP21 in Paris, which took place eight years ago. (Answer: True)
4. The next big climate meeting, called COP28, will be held in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (Answer: True)
5. Discussions at the conference will also focus on the unfairness in the world, as richer countries need to support poorer countries in their efforts to combat climate change. (Answer: True)
6. The main goal of COP28 is to make the promises that governments make, called “Nationally Determined Contributions” or NDCs, more detailed. (Answer: True)
7. Greta Thunberg, a famous climate activist, has praised previous UN climate summits for taking enough action. (Answer: False)
8. Money is an insignificant issue at the conference, as renewable energy sources and helping developing countries transition to clean energy require minimal upfront costs. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧