Farmers in Brazil want to cut down the forest to make room for agriculture. Tourists want to keep the forest so that they can see the wildlife. In groups, prepare the arguments on each side, and then talk about the issue in class.
Many people in Britain think that tropical countries should preserve their rainforest. But those countries sometimes say: "You in Britain have cut down all your forest. You have no right to tell us what to do." It is true that 6,000 years ago, Britain was covered in forest, and now only a tiny area remains. How do you feel about this argument?
What can you do to prevent the destruction of the rainforest? Make a list of ideas, then discuss and decide which are the most useful.
Here is a short list of environmental or "green" issues. Which do you think is the most important? Explain your choice to the class.
• climate change - global warming, or "the greenhouse effect"
• acid rain
• species in danger of extinction (e.g. the rhino, the elephant, the tiger)
• destruction of the rainforest
• destruction of the countryside
• pesticides and other pollution in food
It is sad when an animal or plant species becomes extinct. But we don't feel bad about the dinosaurs and they disappeared millions of years ago. Does it really matter if we lose a few more species?