The Nairobi Declaration asks world leaders to support the idea of a global carbon tax regime. This would include taxing fossil fuels, as well as taxing the trade of fossil fuels, shipping, and aviation. It also suggests the possibility of a global tax on financial transactions. A human rights activist named GraΓ§a Machel said that the declaration is a big step forward. She emphasized that Africa doesn't just want help, but also wants to offer opportunities for investment and solutions. The declaration argues that these measures would make sure that there is enough money for projects related to climate change, and that taxes won't be influenced by politics.
Right now, there are about 24 countries that have a carbon tax. But the idea of a global carbon tax hasn't been very popular. In the past, there have been proposals for a financial transaction tax in the European Union to help the environment, but not everyone agreed. Some people think that carbon credits, which let polluters pay for green projects to offset their emissions, are just an excuse for big polluters to keep polluting. The Africa Climate Summit also faced criticism for not focusing enough on helping Africans deal with extreme weather. Some people protested against Africa's plan to sell carbon credits to other countries.
Even though there are challenges, the Africa Climate Summit did see commitments of $23 billion for green projects. This money came from governments, banks, investors, and philanthropists from around the world. But African leaders know that this is just the beginning. They say that more needs to be done to get the money and support that Africa needs to deal with climate change. The summit showed that there is an urgent need for more money and help to deal with the effects of climate change in Africa.
Original news source: Africa proposes global carbon taxes to fight climate change (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Word Association
Instructions: Have students read the article and write down as many words as they can think of that are related to climate change and the Nairobi Declaration. Then, have students pair up and take turns sharing their words. They should try to make connections between their words and discuss their meanings.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set amount of time (e.g. 5 minutes) to read the article and create a summary of the main points. After the time is up, have each group share their summary with the class. Encourage them to use their own words and be concise.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a line on the board with "Strongly Agree" on one end and "Strongly Disagree" on the other end. Read out statements related to the Nairobi Declaration (e.g. "A global carbon tax regime is necessary to address climate change"). Have students stand in the position on the spectrum that represents their opinion on each statement. After each statement, allow students to share their reasons for their position.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group either the "pro" or "con" side of the argument regarding the implementation of a global carbon tax regime. Give them time to discuss and list their reasons. Then, have each group present their arguments to the class. Encourage respectful discussion and counterarguments.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students work individually or in pairs and write a short paragraph predicting what they think the outcome of the big climate summit in November will be. They should consider the ideas proposed in the Nairobi Declaration and the current global response to climate change. After they finish writing, have students share their predictions with the class and discuss their reasoning.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The Nairobi Declaration is a joint declaration released by African leaders at the Africa Climate Summit. It proposes a global carbon tax regime, which means countries all over the world would agree to a tax on carbon emissions.
The African leaders came together at the Africa Climate Summit to discuss climate change and find ways to get money to help Africa deal with extreme weather, protect natural resources, and develop renewable energy.
The Nairobi Declaration suggests raising money by implementing a global carbon tax regime. This would involve taxing fossil fuels, as well as taxing the trade of fossil fuels, shipping, aviation, and possibly even financial transactions.
The declaration argues that using taxes for climate change projects would ensure that there is enough money to fund these projects and that the taxes would not be influenced by politics.
Currently, about 24 countries have a carbon tax.
Some proposals for a global carbon tax have been unpopular in the past because not everyone agrees on the best way to address climate change. There have also been concerns that carbon credits, which allow polluters to pay for green projects to offset their emissions, may not be effective in reducing overall pollution.
The Africa Climate Summit faced criticism for not focusing enough on helping Africans deal with extreme weather. There were also protests against Africa's plan to sell carbon credits to other countries.
At the summit, commitments of $23 billion were made for green projects. This money came from governments, banks, investors, and philanthropists from around the world.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
African leaders recently came together at the Africa Climate Summit in Kenya to talk about climate change. They released a joint declaration called the Nairobi Declaration, which proposes a global carbon tax . This means that they want countries all over the world to agree to a tax on carbon emissions. The African leaders hope to use this declaration as a starting point for at a big climate summit in November. The summit focused on finding ways to get money to help Africa deal with weather, protect natural resources, and develop renewable energy. Africa is one of the continents most affected by climate change, but it only gets about 12% of the it needs to deal with the problem. The Nairobi asks world leaders to support the idea of a global carbon tax regime. This would include fossil fuels, as well as taxing the trade of fossil fuels, shipping, and aviation. It also suggests the possibility of a global tax on financial transactions. A human rights activist named GraΓ§a Machel said that the declaration is a big step forward. She emphasized that doesn't just want help, but also wants to offer opportunities for investment and solutions. The declaration argues that these measures would make sure that there is enough money for projects related to climate change, and that won't be by politics. Right now, there are about 24 countries that have a carbon tax. But the idea of a global carbon tax hasn't been very popular. In the past, there have been proposals for a financial transaction tax in the European Union to help the environment, but not everyone agreed. Some people think that carbon credits, which let polluters pay for projects to offset their emissions, are just an for big polluters to keep polluting. The Africa Climate Summit also faced criticism for not focusing enough on helping Africans deal with extreme weather. Some people protested against Africa's plan to sell carbon credits to other countries. Even though there are challenges, the Africa Climate did see commitments of $23 billion for green projects. This money came from governments, banks, investors, and philanthropists from around the world. But African leaders know that this is just the beginning. They say that more to be done to get the money and support that Africa needs to deal with . The summit showed that there is an urgent need for more money and help to deal with the effects of climate change in Africa.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is climate change and why is it a problem?
2. How would you feel if your country implemented a global carbon tax regime? Why?
3. Do you think it's fair for African countries to ask for financial support to deal with climate change? Why or why not?
4. What are some ways that Africa can protect its natural resources from the effects of climate change?
5. Do you like the idea of a global tax on financial transactions? Why or why not?
6. What do you think about the use of carbon credits? Do you think they are effective in reducing emissions? Why or why not?
7. How do you think African countries can encourage more investment and solutions for climate change projects?
8. What are some challenges that African countries face in dealing with extreme weather?
9. How do you think the $23 billion committed for green projects at the Africa Climate Summit can help Africa?
10. Do you think more money and support is needed to address climate change in Africa? Why or why not?
11. What are some ways that individuals can contribute to reducing carbon emissions?
12. How can countries work together to address climate change on a global scale?
13. What are some potential benefits of implementing a global carbon tax regime?
14. Do you think it's important for world leaders to support the Nairobi Declaration? Why or why not?
15. How can the international community help African countries in their efforts to combat climate change?
Individual Activities
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