Update
Last Monday, we completed the analysis of the climate change argument. Time was short so today I would like to do a debrief. I am especially interested in hearing your ideas about the causes and effects of global warming.
Here are a few discussion questions.
- What is the climate change argument?
- Briefly summarize the greenhouse gas model. Describe the importance of CO2 in that model. What is human made contribution to the greenhouse gas model?
- Who is Al Gore and what is his connection to climate change?
- Some people claim there is a relationship between climate change and environmental impacts. Name three claims which appear to demonstrate a post hoc fallacy.
- Describe how Al Gore creates fear when talking about climate change. Why does he create fear? Is it useful for some purpose? What happens when people are afraid?
- Can you think of any other situations where fear is used to change the minds of large groups of people?
- If CO2 is really the cause of global warming, what are some of the solutions?
- Some people say that we should not try to stop global warming. Instead we should start learning how to adapt to it. What are the arguments for both cases? What do you think?
- Can you think of any good points related to global warming?
- What do you think about the causes and effects of climate change?
Monday’s Class
This week, the ESL students will learn English by using the critical thinking skills they have learned so far this semester. These skills include: 6 thinking hats, understanding logical fallacies and analogies.
CLASS OBJECTIVES
The purpose of today’s exercise is to:
- use thinking skills when talking about a real world problem
- understand the climate change argument
- develop independent thinking about this important issue
Background
- Al Gore
- An Inconvenient Truth
Step 1
With a partner, answer these questions:
- What is climate change?
- What is the climate change argument?
- What causes climate change?
- What problems are created by climate change?
Step 2
Watch a short trailer. This video summarizes some of the claims made by Al Gore in his movie An Inconvenient Truth.
In this case study, we are going to think critically about globally warming. In particular we will summarize and question a few claims made by Al Gore and in his presentation An Inconvenient Truth.
Step 3
Work in a small group. According to the video:
- What is the argument about climate change?
- What are the impacts?
- What is the solution?
- What are your impressions of the video clip?
Step 4
Each student will read a claim made by Gore. We will discuss these issues in class.
Step 5
Make your own conclusion. What do you think about the main climate change argument?
Step 6
If we have time we will watch and listen to a short clip (2:10 to 4:07). This clip has a few speakers. What are the main arguments presented in this clip?
Extra
Here is a short news clip about a British judge who decide that the movie An Inconvenient Truth contains inaccurate facts, logical errors and ideology.
Here is an interview with a person who does not believe that there is a serious global warming problem.