English Podcast for Learning English — Talk About Climate Change in English — B2-C1 Conversation

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: englishly podcast from speak english with class anna guess what i brought a reusable [00:00:08] Speaker 2: water bottle to work yesterday nice very responsible i know i felt responsible i [00:00:15] Speaker 1: felt mature i felt like a man with a plan why do i feel like this story is about to fall apart because i left the bottle on my kitchen counter ah and then i bought a plastic bottle on the way to work oh jake i know then i carried that plastic bottle around all day with deep environmental guilt deep environmental guilt yes the bottle was small but the guilt was huge [00:00:47] Speaker 2: funny story but it actually points to something real yeah climate change can make people feel guilty before the conversation even starts exactly guilty confused overwhelmed and sometimes unsure [00:01:02] Speaker 1: what to say which is why today we're keeping it calm calm honest and useful no panic no blaming just a [00:01:12] Speaker 2: real conversation hey english learners welcome back to the english leap podcast your cozy little place to learn easy english through real everyday conversations i'm anna and i'm jake still accepting responsibility [00:01:28] Speaker 1: for the bottle as you should i knew you would say that but honestly that little bottle story is useful [00:01:35] Speaker 2: today because it shows the problem yes we often know the better choice but real life gets messy [00:01:43] Speaker 1: exactly we forget things we rush we feel tired and suddenly the easier choice wins so today we're going [00:01:51] Speaker 2: to talk about climate change in a calm and practical way not like a news report not like a scary science [00:01:59] Speaker 1: lecture good because if someone starts with the planet is doomed i immediately want to hide under a blanket fair a thin blanket though because it is getting warmer that was a serious joke i know i felt it today [00:02:17] Speaker 2: we want to help you talk about climate change in english with more confidence because this topic appears in normal life more than we think heat food waste plastic shopping travel energy and those small choices we make almost every day since this is a serious topic we'll use slightly more advanced english today so this episode is great for b2 and c1 learners and if you are b1 don't worry just listen for the main ideas and enjoy the conversation you do not need to catch every word the first time later in word tour we'll slow down useful words for talking about the environment in a more mature way and in say it better we'll take simple or harsh [00:03:00] Speaker 1: sentences and make them sound more natural thoughtful and balanced because this topic can feel heavy yes so we'll be honest but not hopeless honest but not hopeless i like that and if some phrases stay in your mind after the episode don't let them disappear take them into the english leap club and practice them slowly you can read the transcript review the word tour try the quizzes and games and practice the episode in a [00:03:28] Speaker 2: calmer deeper way it's a good place to turn one podcast into real practice the link is in the description okay let's begin jake your bottle story was funny but it also felt very real it was not really about one bottle was it no it was about that moment when you know the better choice but you still choose the [00:03:50] Speaker 1: easier one yes i know reusable bottles are better i know carrying a bag from home is better i know [00:03:58] Speaker 2: wasting food is not great but normal life does not always give us the perfect moment to make the perfect [00:04:04] Speaker 1: choice right you're rushing you forget something you're hungry you're late and convenience wins that word is [00:04:12] Speaker 2: important convenient it means easy or useful in that moment and i think that is where the guilt begins [00:04:20] Speaker 1: because you notice the gap exactly the gap between what you believe and what you actually do that is honest and very common climate change conversations can make that feeling worse sometimes yes they can make [00:04:36] Speaker 2: people feel like every small mistake means they are a bad person i don't like that me neither guilt can [00:04:43] Speaker 1: make you pay attention but shame can make you give up that is a strong line thank you don't enjoy it too much i'll try i think some people avoid this topic because they don't want to feel judged yes they hear [00:04:58] Speaker 2: climate change and they think oh no someone is going to tell me everything i do is wrong and honestly that kind of conversation does not help much a better conversation is not you are terrible good i prefer that a better conversation is let's understand our impact and make wiser choices where we can impact impact means the effect something has right exactly and environmental impact means the effect something has on nature air water land or climate that feels more useful than guilt it is because once we understand the impact we can make better decisions not perfect decisions no better decisions i can live with [00:05:43] Speaker 1: better good better is a good place to start i think another reason people struggle with climate change is that it feels too big it is big too big rising temperatures pollution forests oceans animals energy [00:05:59] Speaker 2: it can feel like too much to hold in your head at once exactly and then one person thinks what difference can i make that is a very common feeling i feel it i do too sometimes really of course if a problem is global one small action can feel tiny like taking one spoon of water out of the ocean yes but i think we have to avoid two opposite mistakes okay what are they one mistake is thinking my actions alone can fix everything that is way too much pressure the other mistake is thinking my actions mean nothing that is too hopeless right real life is somewhere in the middle so my one plastic bottle did not [00:06:43] Speaker 1: try not destroy the planet no but my habits still matter yes they really do i can believe that good i like the middle the middle lets me breathe and breathing is useful especially on a climate episode very true but some words still confuse me which words eco-friendly for example ah yes that word is everywhere now bags bottles cups hotels notebooks and sometimes on things wrapped in too much plastic exactly i once saw an eco-friendly product wrapped in three layers of plastic that feels confusing it was like the product was whispering i care about nature while wearing a plastic coat [00:07:30] Speaker 2: that image is very clear thank you i suffered for that image for learners eco-friendly simply means less harmful to the environment that is a useful word it is but it should mean something real not just look [00:07:43] Speaker 1: nice on a package so not just green leaves printed on the label right it should mean less waste less [00:07:50] Speaker 2: energy less damage better materials or longer use longer use yes sometimes the most eco-friendly choice [00:07:58] Speaker 1: is not buying a new thing at all oh i know that one hurt a little why because i've definitely bought things just to feel like i was improving my life we all have a new notebook a new bottle a new bag a new storage box and sometimes those things are useful sometimes but sometimes i'm just buying the [00:08:20] Speaker 2: feeling of being organized that is very honest painfully honest this connects to over consumption [00:08:28] Speaker 1: that means buying or using more than we actually need right that's the idea so if i buy an eco-friendly [00:08:36] Speaker 2: item that i don't really need it may still add to over consumption that is annoying that useful [00:08:44] Speaker 1: most useful things are annoying apparently yes hmm anna can i ask you something of course you can is it wrong to want nice things no not at all good i was worried wanting comfort or beauty is not the [00:09:01] Speaker 2: enemy i like that the question is not can i own anything thank you that was getting stressful the better question is am i buying this because i need it will use it and value it or because i'm bored or because [00:09:17] Speaker 1: you saw a video dangerous very dangerous or because the website said limited offer the most powerful [00:09:26] Speaker 2: two words in online shopping truly over consumption often happens when buying becomes emotional retail therapy yes buying something to feel better i know that feeling most people do and again this is not about shame it's about noticing that's it when we notice our habits we can choose differently like [00:09:49] Speaker 1: repairing something instead of replacing it or borrowing something we only need once or buying better quality and using it longer or simply pausing before buying the pause is powerful yes a small pause can stop a lot of unnecessary buying and when we buy less we create less waste too right right and that [00:10:12] Speaker 2: connects to another phrase people often hear carbon footprint that phrase sounds big it does but the idea is simple a carbon footprint is the amount of carbon pollution connected to a person product activity or lifestyle so travel has a carbon footprint yes air conditioning too yes the energy we use at home can be part of it food choices yes online shopping also yes because products are made packed shipped and sometimes returned [00:10:45] Speaker 1: returns have a footprint too they can yes i did not need to hear that sorry no it's useful [00:10:54] Speaker 2: uncomfortable but useful that is a good description of many climate conversations uncomfortable but useful but here is something important carbon footprint should not become another way to attack yourself good i needed that sentence it should help you become more aware aware not ashamed yes [00:11:19] Speaker 1: for example if someone drives to work because there is no good public transport yelling at them may not help right sometimes people do not have many choices money matters time matters safety matters family needs [00:11:37] Speaker 2: matter and where you live matters that's why climate conversations should include real life that makes [00:11:44] Speaker 1: the word sustainable feel more realistic too it does sustainable means something can continue over time [00:11:53] Speaker 2: without causing too much harm right yes and we can use it for the planet but also for our own habits [00:12:01] Speaker 1: so if a choice is perfect but impossible to keep doing it may not be sustainable for your life [00:12:08] Speaker 2: that is helpful we need choices people can actually repeat like using less electricity where possible [00:12:16] Speaker 1: taking public transport when it works carrying a reusable bottle when you remember it [00:12:23] Speaker 2: yes when you remember it i deserved that you did there is another part of climate change that people sometimes forget what is it biodiversity that word sounds serious it is serious but the idea is simple biodiversity means the variety of plants animals insects and living things in an area so not just big animals no not just tigers and whales also bees bees birds trees tiny insects soil life plants we don't even notice [00:13:00] Speaker 1: soil life sounds like a secret underground city in a way yes i like that biodiversity matters because [00:13:08] Speaker 2: nature is connected connected how plants need insects birds need plants soil needs tiny living things [00:13:17] Speaker 1: people need healthy ecosystems ecosystems ecosystems means natural systems where living things depend on each other that's right so when one part disappears other parts can suffer right that is a little scary [00:13:31] Speaker 2: it is but it is also beautiful beautiful yes because it reminds us that nature is not just decoration not just something pretty outside the window right it is a living system and we are part of it we are that that makes the topic feel less distant me too climate change is not only about numbers and charts it is also [00:13:54] Speaker 1: about the places we love the beach the trees near your home the birds you hear in the morning the food that [00:14:01] Speaker 2: grows because nature is quietly doing its work yes and when learners can talk about these things in english [00:14:08] Speaker 1: they can join more meaningful conversations can i say something that may sound bad of course sometimes i get tired of the the phrase save the planet why because it sounds too huge like i need a cape climate superhero jake i don't have the shoulders for that costume fair i prefer smaller language like what waste less good use what you already have very good think before buying simple and strong protect the places near you i like that one because when the language is too big i feel powerless but when [00:14:46] Speaker 2: the language is practical you can act yes that is a great point for english learners too how when you talk about climate change you don't always need huge sentences you can use calm specific english right for example i'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint i want to make more sustainable choices over consumption [00:15:07] Speaker 1: is a real problem we should think about the environmental impact of what we buy biodiversity matters because [00:15:14] Speaker 2: that sounds mature it does but not too heavy good that is what we want i think the best climate conversations leave people with responsibility but not despair despair means deep hopelessness yes and responsibility means i have a part to play not the whole burden no just a part that feels healthier climate change is serious but we can still talk about it in a way that helps people think learn and act not freeze right [00:15:50] Speaker 1: because if the message is only fear people shut down but if the message is honest and practical people may begin so maybe we don't need perfect environmental lives no we need more aware lives more thoughtful choices better systems better conversations and maybe fewer plastic bottles left behind in kitchens that would help i am growing slowly sustainably very good thank you i prepared that one now let's slow down and practice today's useful words these words will help you talk about climate change daily choices and the [00:16:30] Speaker 2: environment in a clearer way let's begin with a word you hear a lot in environmental conversations sustainable sustainable sustainable sustainable means able to continue for a long time without causing too [00:16:46] Speaker 1: much harm situation one a city uses solar energy saves water and builds better public transport you could say the city is trying to become more sustainable situation two you choose a habit that you can repeat not just [00:17:02] Speaker 2: something you do once and then stop you could say i need a sustainable routine not a perfect one [00:17:10] Speaker 1: that sentence is useful for life not just the environment very true the next word is eco-friendly [00:17:17] Speaker 2: eco-friendly eco-friendly means less harmful to the environment situation one a shop uses packaging that creates less waste you could say this shop uses eco-friendly packaging situation two you carry a reusable [00:17:35] Speaker 1: water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles every day you could say i'm trying to make more eco-friendly choices just remember eco-friendly should mean something real not just a green leaf on the label exactly now [00:17:51] Speaker 2: let's practice carbon footprint car bun foot print carbon footprint a carbon footprint is the amount of carbon [00:18:00] Speaker 1: pollution connected to a person product activity or lifestyle situation one someone flies often for work you could say flying often can increase your carbon footprint situation two you walk use public transport or save electricity when you can you could say i'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint good the next phrase is environmental impact environmental impact environmental impact environmental impact [00:18:32] Speaker 2: environmental impact means the effect something has on nature air water land or climate situation one [00:18:41] Speaker 1: a company makes cheap clothes very quickly but creates a lot of waste you could say fast fashion can have a serious environmental impact situation two you choose a product that lasts longer and creates less waste you [00:18:57] Speaker 2: could say i'm trying to think about the environmental impact before i buy something that sounds careful and mature yes it shows that you are thinking beyond the price now here's a stronger word for buying too much over consumption over consumption over consumption over consumption over consumption [00:19:18] Speaker 1: over consumption means buying or using more than we really need [00:19:22] Speaker 2: situation one someone keeps buying new clothes even though they already have enough you could say over consumption creates a lot of unnecessary waste situation two you decide to pause before buying something new you could say [00:19:37] Speaker 1: over consumption by using what i already have that one is practical also slightly painful yes useful words often are and our final word is biodiversity biodiversity biodiversity biodiversity means the variety of plants animals insects and living things in an area [00:20:05] Speaker 2: situation one a forest has many kinds of trees birds insects and animals you could say this forest has rich biodiversity situation two natural places are damaged and many living things lose their homes [00:20:21] Speaker 1: you could say climate change and deforestation can harm biodiversity [00:20:26] Speaker 2: so today's words were sustainable eco-friendly carbon footprint environmental impact over consumption and biodiversity these words help you move from simple english [00:20:38] Speaker 1: to more thoughtful english not just the environment is bad but this has an environmental impact not just [00:20:47] Speaker 2: people buy too much but over consumption creates waste inside the english sleep club this is a good section to review [00:20:55] Speaker 1: so now let's take a few sentences and make them sound too slow read the transcript try the quizzes and games and choose one word that connects to your own life [00:21:02] Speaker 2: just one word is enough and maybe one sentence too because today's words are useful but the way we talk about serious topics [00:21:10] Speaker 1: matters too yes sometimes simple sentences sound too extreme like my small choices don't matter or climate change is too scary to talk about so now let's take a few of those sentences and make them sound more natural more balanced and more mature this is say it better and today we're not trying to make climate change sound easy [00:21:34] Speaker 2: right we're trying to talk about it clearly calmly and thoughtfully [00:21:39] Speaker 1: let's start with this sentence climate change is too scary to talk about i understand that feeling me too but that sentence closes the conversation a better sentence is climate change can feel [00:21:52] Speaker 2: overwhelming but i want to understand it better that feels honest it doesn't pretend the fear is gone but it keeps the door open you could also say i'm trying to talk about climate change without feeling hopeless that is useful english here's another one i don't do anything for the environment that sounds very harsh it does and it may not even be fully true a better sentence is i'm trying to make more sustainable choices good that sounds active but not perfect you can also say i want to build [00:22:28] Speaker 1: habits that are more sustainable in daily life that feels mature and realistic what about this one eco-friendly things are too expensive that can be true sometimes yes some eco-friendly products do cost more so we don't want to ignore that a better sentence is some eco-friendly options are expensive but i can still reduce waste in simple ways that is much more realistic you can also say being eco-friendly is not only about buying new products very important sometimes it is about using what you already have [00:23:09] Speaker 2: here's one many people feel my small choices don't matter that sentence sounds defeated it does but the [00:23:18] Speaker 1: feeling is understandable a more thoughtful sentence is my choices are not the whole solution but they still have an environmental impact that feels balanced yes not too much pressure [00:23:31] Speaker 2: but not hopeless either you could also say i want to reduce my carbon footprint where i realistically can realistically that word helps it does it keeps the sentence connected to real life now this one people buy too much true sometimes but it sounds a little blunt a stronger way to say it is [00:23:54] Speaker 1: over consumption is a major environmental problem that sounds more mature and more specific you can also [00:24:02] Speaker 2: say i'm trying to avoid over consumption by buying less and using things longer that is practical yes it turns the idea into action let's do one more nature is disappearing that sentence is emotional it is and [00:24:18] Speaker 1: sometimes emotional language is honest but if we want to sound more precise we can say biodiversity is under pressure good or when natural places are damaged biodiversity suffers that sounds clear and mature it explains the [00:24:34] Speaker 2: problem without making the listener shut down so today say it better is not about sounding fancy it's about [00:24:41] Speaker 1: talking about a serious topic with better words so now we want to hear from you how do you feel when [00:24:48] Speaker 2: people talk about climate change does it make you feel worried responsible confused hopeful or something else [00:24:57] Speaker 1: try to use one word from today's word tour thank you for learning with us today keep practicing take care of [00:25:04] Speaker 2: your english and take care of the world you live in bye for now your progress doesn't end here to continue advancing your english skills click on the next video or explore the additional videos we've thoughtfully selected for you