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 regime. 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 negotiations at a big climate summit happening in November. The summit focused on finding ways to get money to help Africa deal with extreme 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 money it needs to deal with the problem.

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 Graça 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)

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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.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the Nairobi Declaration and what does it propose?
2. Why did the African leaders come together at the Africa Climate Summit?
3. How does the Nairobi Declaration suggest raising money to help Africa deal with climate change?
4. What does the declaration argue about the use of taxes for climate change projects?
5. How many countries currently have a carbon tax?
6. Why have some proposals for a global carbon tax been unpopular in the past?
7. What criticisms did the Africa Climate Summit face?
8. How much money was committed to green projects at the summit and where did it come from?
Go to answers ⇩

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 (1)______. 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 (2)______ at a big climate summit (3)______ in November. The summit focused on finding ways to get money to help Africa deal with (4)______ 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 (5)______ it needs to deal with the problem.

The Nairobi (6)______ asks world leaders to support the idea of a global carbon tax regime. This would include (7)______ 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 Graça Machel said that the declaration is a big step forward. She emphasized that (8)______ 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 (9)______ won’t be (10)______ 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 (11)______ projects to offset their emissions, are just an (12)______ 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 (13)______ 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 (14)______ to be done to get the money and support that Africa needs to deal with (15)______ (16)______. The summit showed that there is an urgent need for more money and help to deal with the effects of climate change in Africa.
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Discussion Questions:

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

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

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. carbon
2. tax
3. declaration
4. fossil fuels
5. investment
6. projects
7. emissions
8. climate change

Meanings:
(a) The long-term change in the Earth’s weather patterns
(b) Plans or activities that are done to achieve a particular goal
(c) A substance that is released into the air when we burn things like coal, oil, and gas
(d) Putting money into something to make it better or to make a profit
(e) A formal statement or announcement
(f) Gases that are released into the air, especially by cars and factories
(g) Fuels like coal, oil, and gas that come from the remains of plants and animals
(h) Money that people have to pay to the government

Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the joint declaration released by African leaders at the Africa Climate Summit?
(a) The Africa Climate Declaration
(b) The Global Carbon Tax Declaration
(c) The Nairobi Declaration
(d) The Renewable Energy Declaration

2. What is the main goal of the Nairobi Declaration?
(a) To protect natural resources in Africa
(b) To propose a global carbon tax regime
(c) To develop renewable energy in Africa
(d) To negotiate at a big climate summit in November

3. Why does Africa need money to deal with climate change?
(a) Because it wants to offer opportunities for investment
(b) Because it wants to tax fossil fuels and financial transactions
(c) Because it is one of the continents most affected by climate change
(d) Because it wants to sell carbon credits to other countries

4. How many countries currently have a carbon tax?
(a) About 24
(b) About 12
(c) About 36
(d) About 48

5. What is one criticism of carbon credits?
(a) They don’t generate enough money for climate change projects
(b) They are not supported by African leaders
(c) They only benefit big polluters
(d) They let polluters keep polluting

6. Where did the $23 billion commitment for green projects come from?
(a) Governments, banks, investors, and philanthropists from around the world
(b) African leaders at the Africa Climate Summit
(c) The Nairobi Declaration
(d) The European Union

7. What did the Africa Climate Summit show about the need for money and help in Africa?
(a) Africa already has enough money and help to deal with climate change
(b) There is an urgent need for more money and help to deal with the effects of climate change
(c) The summit did not address the need for money and help in Africa
(d) Africa does not want money and help to deal with climate change

8. What did human rights activist Graça Machel emphasize about the Nairobi Declaration?
(a) Africa only wants help from other countries
(b) Africa wants to tax fossil fuels and financial transactions
(c) Africa wants to sell carbon credits to other countries
(d) Africa wants to offer opportunities for investment and solutions

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Some people have criticized the idea of a global carbon tax, believing that carbon credits are just an excuse for polluters to continue polluting.
2. They released a joint declaration called the Nairobi Declaration, which proposes a global carbon tax regime.
3. African leaders recently gathered at the Africa Climate Summit in Kenya to ignore climate change.
4. Africa is one of the continents most affected by climate change, but it only receives about 12% of the necessary funding to address the issue.
5. The Nairobi Declaration asks world leaders to oppose the idea of a global carbon tax regime, which would include taxing fossil fuels, trade of fossil fuels, shipping, aviation, and possibly financial transactions.
6. The African leaders hope to ignore this declaration as a starting point for negotiations at a big climate summit happening in November.
7. The summit focused on finding ways to provide financial assistance to Africa for dealing with extreme weather, protecting natural resources, and developing renewable energy.
8. The Africa Climate Summit received commitments of $2 billion for green projects, but African leaders acknowledge that less needs to be done to secure the necessary funding and support to address climate change in Africa.
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. What is the Nairobi Declaration and why is it important?
2. What does the Nairobi Declaration propose in terms of a global carbon tax regime?
3. Why is Africa one of the continents most affected by climate change?
4. What are some of the criticisms of carbon credits and the Africa Climate Summit?
5. How much money was committed to green projects at the Africa Climate Summit and why is more needed?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the Nairobi Declaration and what does it propose?
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.

2. Why did the African leaders come together at the Africa Climate Summit?
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.

3. How does the Nairobi Declaration suggest raising money to help Africa deal with climate change?
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.

4. What does the declaration argue about the use of taxes for climate change projects?
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.

5. How many countries currently have a carbon tax?
Currently, about 24 countries have a carbon tax.

6. Why have some proposals for a global carbon tax been unpopular in the past?
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.

7. What criticisms did the Africa Climate Summit face?
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.

8. How much money was committed to green projects at the summit and where did it come from?
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.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) regime
(2) negotiations
(3) happening
(4) extreme
(5) money
(6) Declaration
(7) taxing
(8) Africa
(9) taxes
(10) influenced
(11) green
(12) excuse
(13) Summit
(14) needs
(15) climate
(16) change
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. carbon
Answer: (c) A substance that is released into the air when we burn things like coal, oil, and gas

2. tax
Answer: (h) Money that people have to pay to the government

3. declaration
Answer: (e) A formal statement or announcement

4. fossil fuels
Answer: (g) Fuels like coal, oil, and gas that come from the remains of plants and animals

5. investment
Answer: (d) Putting money into something to make it better or to make a profit

6. projects
Answer: (b) Plans or activities that are done to achieve a particular goal

7. emissions
Answer: (f) Gases that are released into the air, especially by cars and factories

8. climate change
Answer: (a) The long-term change in the Earth’s weather patterns
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the joint declaration released by African leaders at the Africa Climate Summit?
Answer: (c) The Nairobi Declaration

2. What is the main goal of the Nairobi Declaration?
Answer: (b) To propose a global carbon tax regime

3. Why does Africa need money to deal with climate change?
Answer: (c) Because it is one of the continents most affected by climate change

4. How many countries currently have a carbon tax?
Answer: (a) About 24

5. What is one criticism of carbon credits?
Answer: (d) They let polluters keep polluting

6. Where did the $23 billion commitment for green projects come from?
Answer: (a) Governments, banks, investors, and philanthropists from around the world

7. What did the Africa Climate Summit show about the need for money and help in Africa?
Answer: (b) There is an urgent need for more money and help to deal with the effects of climate change

8. What did human rights activist Graça Machel emphasize about the Nairobi Declaration?
Answer: (d) Africa wants to offer opportunities for investment and solutions
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Some people have criticized the idea of a global carbon tax, believing that carbon credits are just an excuse for polluters to continue polluting. (Answer: True)
2. They released a joint declaration called the Nairobi Declaration, which proposes a global carbon tax regime. (Answer: True)
3. African leaders recently gathered at the Africa Climate Summit in Kenya to ignore climate change. (Answer: False)
4. Africa is one of the continents most affected by climate change, but it only receives about 12% of the necessary funding to address the issue. (Answer: True)
5. The Nairobi Declaration asks world leaders to oppose the idea of a global carbon tax regime, which would include taxing fossil fuels, trade of fossil fuels, shipping, aviation, and possibly financial transactions. (Answer: False)
6. The African leaders hope to ignore this declaration as a starting point for negotiations at a big climate summit happening in November. (Answer: False)
7. The summit focused on finding ways to provide financial assistance to Africa for dealing with extreme weather, protecting natural resources, and developing renewable energy. (Answer: True)
8. The Africa Climate Summit received commitments of $2 billion for green projects, but African leaders acknowledge that less needs to be done to secure the necessary funding and support to address climate change in Africa. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧