{"id":50696,"date":"2024-02-16T16:52:18","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T15:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=50696"},"modified":"2024-02-16T16:52:18","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T15:52:18","slug":"the-importance-of-english-for-environmental-advocacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/the-importance-of-english-for-environmental-advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of English For Environmental Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

No matter where you live, you\u2019ve probably experienced record-breaking temperatures and severe weather. You may have seen individuals and groups from different countries raising awareness<\/strong><\/span><\/em> of environmental issues.<\/p>\n

Using your English language skills can help you get more involved in environmental advocacy<\/strong><\/span><\/em>. You can educate yourself on how to live a more sustainable<\/strong><\/span><\/em> lifestyle and encourage others to do the same.<\/p>\n

Continue reading to discover more about the importance of English for environmental advocacy. We\u2019ll cover the best tools and resources for making a positive impact on the planet while learning the language.<\/p>\n

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How language influences environmental advocacy<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Language can influence how people think and feel about different topics. Our choice of words can make any idea sound positive or negative. Think about how much more delicious an apple sounds when you describe it as \u2018juicy\u2019 rather than \u2018mushy\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s especially true of important issues like climate change. Environmental groups want to encourage others to take action so they need to use convincing language.<\/p>\n

For example, many advocates use the slogan<\/strong><\/span><\/em> ‘think globally, act locally’. The phrase is short and rhymes<\/strong><\/span><\/em> so it\u2019s easy for most people to remember. Although it\u2019s simple, it reminds us that even small environmental activities within our communities can contribute to a better world.<\/p>\n

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Why English is so important for the environment<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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As a global language, English is a powerful tool. There are an estimated 1.5 billion speakers worldwide which is almost a fifth of the population. When you communicate in English, your words can reach and affect more people than any other language.<\/p>\n

Harry Waters, environmental educator and English teacher, believes talking about climate change in English education is essential. He says, ‘English is everywhere so why not use it as a tool for good? One of the biggest goals of environmental advocacy is to communicate and explain the things we need to do to take care of the planet.’<\/em><\/p>\n

He adds that learning English often helps students become environment advocates. ‘The majority of people are going to have an English lesson. When you\u2019re studying a language, you learn how to talk about all the different areas of your life. You learn about family. You learn about music. You learn about sport. So, why not learn about the environment?’<\/em><\/p>\n

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Educational resources for EFL students<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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So, you want to learn more about the issues facing our planet. Where\u2019s the best place to start? Luckily for you, there are lots of environmental ESL resources out there:<\/p>\n

Environmental organisations:<\/strong> Websites like Greenpeace<\/a> and The Ocean Cleanup<\/a> explain different issues like plastic pollution and climate change. They use a lot of images and graphs to explain complicated scientific ideas.<\/p>\n

Articles:<\/strong> Following different blogs can give you reading practice while teaching you about environmental issues. Some good options are TreeHugger<\/a> and Moral Fibres<\/a> which give you advice on how to live more sustainably.<\/p>\n

Podcasts:<\/strong> What about listening practice? You can search your podcast app for phrases like \u2018zero waste\u2019 and \u2018sustainable living\u2019 to find series like How to Save a Planet<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Films and TV shows:<\/strong> There are many great documentaries such as A Life On Our Planet and Kiss the Ground<\/a> which raise awareness of issues like extinction and collapsing<\/strong><\/span><\/em> ecosystems. <\/p>\n

Online talks and workshops:<\/strong> It\u2019s easy to search YouTube and TED.com for famous speeches about the environment<\/a>. You can add subtitles if the speaker is fast or uses a lot of challenging vocabulary.<\/p>\n

Social media:<\/strong> There are lots of individuals and groups you can follow on sites like Facebook, Reddit and Instagram. You can practise your English in comments and on discussion boards or even arrange activities offline.<\/p>\n

You can often find specially made environment English lessons. Harry Waters has created a course called Renewable English<\/a> for teachers and learners on different topics. You can watch videos on everything from stopping pollution and reducing waste to protecting the bees.<\/p>\n

Watch one of his videos here:<\/p>\n