Speaking Boost · C1 · Lesson 34 of 50
Speaking Boost C1 · Block 7: Environment and Responsibility

Who should pay for the climate crisis?

Rich countries have emitted the most in the past, while poorer countries often suffer most. Discuss fairness in climate policy, and learn linking devices for reason and concession: given that, in view of, in that, insofar as, on the grounds that, notwithstanding and despite the fact that.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Climate justice

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. Should the country that polluted most pay most?
  2. Who is most affected by climate change?
  3. Would you accept higher taxes to help other countries?
  4. Is climate change a question of fairness?
  5. Do you think rich countries are doing enough?
  6. Who benefits when emissions are cut?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about climate justice.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. Cutting greenhouse gases to slow climate change is called .
  2. Adjusting to the effects of climate change, such as building sea walls, is called .
  3. Under the principle that the pays, those who cause the damage should cover its costs.
  4. Rich countries were asked to poorer nations for damage caused by climate disasters.
  5. Small island states are especially to rising seas.
  6. A legally binding agreement between countries is a .
  7. Leaders from around the world gathered for a two-week climate in November.
  8. The countries agreed to create a to help poorer nations after climate disasters.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. mitigation = actions to
    of climate change
  2. adaptation = adjusting to the
    of climate change
  3. a polluter is a person or company that causes
  4. to compensate = to
  5. vulnerable = easily
  6. a treaty is a formal
    between countries
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to give reasons and concede points.

  • Given that...,Зважаючи на те, що...,Given that rich countries emitted more, they should pay more.
  • In view of...,З огляду на...,In view of the damage, action is urgent.
  • ..., in that......, у тому, що...The plan is fair in that it asks more of the rich.
  • Insofar as...Оскільки / тією мірою, що...Insofar as the problem is global, solutions must be global.
  • ..., on the grounds that......, на тій підставі, що...They refused on the grounds that it was unfair.
  • Notwithstanding...Незважаючи на...Notwithstanding the cost, the plan went ahead.
  • Despite the fact that...Попри те, що...Despite the fact that it is expensive, we need it.
  • Seeing that...Зважаючи на те, що...Seeing that poorer nations suffer most, aid is needed.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

Who should pay?

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Who should pay for the climate crisis?

Who should pay for the climate crisis? Given that carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a very long time, much of today's warming is linked to emissions from richer, industrialised countries over the past two centuries. This argument of historical responsibility was recognised in the 1992 UN climate convention, which spoke of "common but differentiated responsibilities".

The picture today is more complicated. China is now the largest annual emitter, although emissions per person remain much higher in the United States and in several oil-producing states. Insofar as emissions are growing fastest in developing economies, they argue that rich countries industrialised freely and should not demand that others stop. Rich countries reply that, in view of the scale of the problem, everybody must cut emissions.

Meanwhile, the people who contributed least are often the most vulnerable. Small island states, low-lying deltas and dry regions face rising seas and extreme weather. Given that adaptation is costly, poorer countries have asked for financial help. In 2009, rich countries promised to mobilise one hundred billion dollars a year by 2020 for climate action in developing countries, a goal that was reported to have been reached only in 2022. At the 2022 climate summit, governments agreed in principle to create a fund for "loss and damage", and the details were settled the following year.

Not everyone agrees about who should bear the costs. Some argue, on the grounds that companies profited from fossil fuels, that fossil fuel producers should pay. Others say that taxpayers in all rich countries should share the cost, despite the fact that many of them did not choose past policies.

So who should pay? Perhaps all large emitters, in proportion to their responsibility and their means. Notwithstanding the arguments, delay will make the final bill larger.

What principle would you use to divide the cost?

3.2

True or false?

  1. The 1992 convention spoke of common but differentiated responsibilities.
  2. The text says that China is the largest annual emitter today.
  3. The $100 billion goal was reached in 2010.
  4. Governments agreed in principle to create a loss and damage fund in 2022.
  5. The text says that there is only one view about who should pay.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Should past emissions count?
  2. Should rich countries pay for adaptation?
  3. Should fossil fuel companies pay?
  4. How can a fair deal be agreed?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

Linking devices for reason

Use given that, seeing that and in view of the fact that + clause, in view of and because of + noun, in that + clause (= because in this way), insofar as + clause (= to the extent that), and on the grounds that + clause.

Given that rich countries emitted more, they should pay more. In view of the damage, action is urgent. The plan is fair in that it asks more of the rich. They refused on the grounds that it was unfair.

Linking devices for concession

Use notwithstanding + noun, despite the fact that + clause and in spite of the fact that + clause. Do not add of after notwithstanding or despite. Insofar as is formal, so keep the as.

Notwithstanding the cost, the plan went ahead. Despite the fact that it is expensive, we need it. Insofar as the problem is global, solutions must be global.

Block 7 review

Use the grammar from this block.

passive reporting structures (L31) · fronting for emphasis (L32) · linking devices: addition and contrast (L33)

Common mistakes: in view of and notwithstanding go with a noun (no of after notwithstanding), given that / despite the fact that / on the grounds that go with a clause, and insofar as needs as. ✗ In view the damage → In view of the damage. ✗ Notwithstanding of the cost → Notwithstanding the cost. ✗ Despite of the fact that → Despite the fact that. ✗ Insofar the problem is global → Insofar as the problem is global.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. rich countries emitted more, they should pay more.
  2. the damage, action is urgent.
  3. The plan is fair
    it asks more of the rich.
  4. the problem is global, solutions must be global.
  5. They refused
    it was unfair.
  6. the cost, the plan went ahead.
  7. it is expensive, we need it.
  8. poorer nations suffer most, aid is needed.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. In view the damage, action is urgent. →
  2. The plan is fair in what it asks more of the rich. →
  3. Insofar the problem is global, solutions must be too. →
  4. Notwithstanding of the cost, the plan went ahead. →
  5. Despite of the fact that it is expensive, we need it. →
  6. They refused on grounds that it was unfair. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use linking devices and the grammar of Block 7.

  1. Given that rich countries emitted more in the past, what should they do?
  2. In view of the damage already done, what is most urgent?
  3. Insofar as the problem is global, what does a fair solution look like?
  4. Notwithstanding the cost, should rich countries help poorer ones?
  5. Despite the fact that you did not cause the problem, would you pay?
  6. Seeing that you are affected, what would you ask for?
5

Three views and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three views on climate justice

Three people discuss who should pay for climate change. Compare them. Who blames rich countries most? Who stresses shared responsibility? Whose view is closest to yours?

Person 1

Mr Alo, 50

  • Is a minister from a small island state
  • Says his country is sinking
  • Asks for adaptation funds
  • Believes rich countries must pay
Person 2

Ms Berger, 44

  • Is a finance official in a rich country
  • Says money is limited
  • Supports a fund
  • Insists that large emitters must join
Person 3

Priya, 25

  • Is a climate activist
  • Says fossil fuel firms should pay
  • Argues that delay costs more
  • Wants clear promises
5.2

Mini-talk: who should pay

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: say who should pay for the climate crisis.
  3. Part 2: give reasons and concessions (use at least three linking devices such as given that, in view of, notwithstanding, despite the fact that).
  4. Part 3: say what principle would be fair.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Do you think your country has done enough?
  2. Would you pay more tax for climate action?
  3. Have you noticed climate effects where you live?
  4. Do you follow climate news?
  5. Do you think companies should pay for pollution?
  6. Who do you think suffers most from climate change?
  7. Would you support a global tax on carbon?
  8. Do you trust international agreements?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who is most vulnerable in your region?
  2. Who should pay for flood defences?
  3. Who should lead climate talks?
  4. Who in your life is active on climate issues?
  5. Who profits from fossil fuels?
  6. Who should compensate for climate damage?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is climate justice a reasonable idea?
  2. Should rich countries pay more?
  3. Should oil companies pay for damage?
  4. Are climate summits effective?
  5. Is a global agreement possible?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

Negotiating at a summit

You

Delegate

You represent a country at a climate summit (your teacher):
  • state your position
  • give two reasons
  • respond to an objection
  • propose a compromise
Speak for at least 2 minutes in total. Use linking devices for reason and concession.
Your teacher

Other delegate

Says things like:
  1. What is your position?
  2. That is unfair.
  3. Why should we pay?
  4. Let us find a compromise.
7.2

Debating climate justice

You

Speaker

You are in a debate (your teacher):
  • say who should pay
  • give a reason with given that
  • concede a point
  • use notwithstanding or despite the fact that
You do most of the talking. Use: Given that... · In view of... · Notwithstanding...
Your teacher

Opponent

Says things like:
  1. Rich countries should pay everything.
  2. Why?
  3. But poor countries also emit.
  4. So what is fair?
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

mitigationadaptationpollutercompensatevulnerabletreatysummitfund
  1. Cutting greenhouse gases to slow climate change is called .
  2. Adjusting to the effects of climate change, such as building sea walls, is called .
  3. Under the principle that the pays, those who cause the damage should cover its costs.
  4. Rich countries were asked to poorer nations for damage caused by climate disasters.
  5. Small island states are especially to rising seas.
  6. A legally binding agreement between countries is a .
  7. Leaders from around the world gathered for a two-week climate in November.
  8. The countries agreed to create a to help poorer nations after climate disasters.
H2

Choose the correct form

  1. costs are rising, we must act.
  2. the risks, we waited.
  3. It is useful it saves time.
  4. it is safe, we agree.
  5. He refused it was risky.
  6. the delay, we finished.
  7. it rained, we went.
  8. you are tired, rest.
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. Given that rich countries emitted more, they should pay more.
  2. Given rich countries emitted more, they should pay more.
  3. In view of the damage, action is urgent.
  4. In view the damage, action is urgent.
  5. Notwithstanding the cost, the plan went ahead.
  6. Notwithstanding of the cost, the plan went ahead.
  7. Despite the fact that it is expensive, we need it.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. Given that rich countries emitted more,
  2. In view of the damage,
  3. The plan is fair in that
  4. Insofar as the problem is global,
  5. They refused on the grounds
  6. Notwithstanding the cost,
  7. Despite the fact that it is expensive,

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