The ocean has been very seriously polluted by the plastic waste we produce. Watch the FIRST THREE videos to find out how. CLICK HERE
Can you make a difference? Discuss
SOME USEFUL EXPRESSIONS: I think.../ I don't think.../ In my opinion... / I (totally) agree with...
I (totally) disagree with you when you say.... / From my point of view.../ I don't share your point of view...
The health of the ocean reflects the health of the planet.
Did you know that 80% of all life on Earth is found in the oceans and those same oceans provide vital sources of protein, energy, and minerals?
To that, the folks at Greenpeace add: "The rolling of the sea across the planet creates over half our oxygen, drives weather systems and natural flows of energy and nutrients around the world, transports water masses many times greater than all the rivers on land combined, and keeps the Earth habitable.
Without the global ocean there would be no life on Earth."
9 Ways We Can Save the Ocean, and Save Ourselves
1. Save the whales:
"The blue whales of the Antarctic are at less than 1 percent of their original abundance, despite 40 years of complete protection. Whales eat zooplankton, zooplankton eat phytoplankton, phytoplankton remove carbon from the atmosphere, we have too much carbon in the atmosphere. If whales don't eat zooplankton (because they don't exist) we'll have overgrowth and lose our essential carbon cleaning phytoplankton. See how it's all connected?
2. Save the sharks, too:
Between 50 and 100 million sharks are killed each year around the world. . Sharks may not be the most lovable creature in the oceans, but they need our help. Without such top-of-food-chain predators the ocean's balance cannot exist.
3. Say no to drilling:
Among many other problems, offshore drilling results in a wide range of health and reproductive problems for fish and other marine life, exposes wildlife to the threat of oil spills, and destroys kelp beds, reefs, and coastal wetlands.
4. Protect our coral reefs:
"Coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine fish species. All too predictably, human behavior is their biggest threat and 70 percent of coral reefs may be gone in less than 40 years if the present rate of destruction continues.
5. Reduce your carbon footprint:
Until we lower our carbon footprint, real change is not possible.
6. No more plastic bottles:
The planet's largest landfill is floating in the North Pacific Ocean. Plastic constitutes 90% of all trash floating in the world's oceans. Step one: Kick the plastic bottle habit.
7. Practice green surfing:
Perhaps the best place to learn about the green surfing movement is the Surfrider Foundation.
8. Be kind to your beach:
Don't litter, don't leave trash at the beach, don't use the beach as a toilet, and get involved in beach clean-up.
9. Cut back on fish, eat sustainable fish, or quit eating fish completely:
Overfishing is a huge component of the ocean's decline.
source : http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/9-ways-save-the-ocean.htm
WEBQUEST
A. PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTS
1) Look at the first photo of 9 sea animals. Choose two and explain why the animals are victims.
2) Look at the second photo. Explain the message.
3) Which of the two photos do you think is the best to alert people about plastic pollution? Why?
B. VIDEOS
1) What marine animals are killed by plastic bags? (video 1)
2) What is the nickname of the North Pacific Ocean? Why? (video 2)
3) How are marine animals killed by plastic?
4) How long does it take for plastic to biodegrade?
5) Name 10 objects that were found in albatrosses's stomachs.
C. WRITTEN DOCUMENT : The health of the ocean reflects the health of the planet
1) How is half the oxygen on Earth created?
2) What industrial activity is dangerous for sea life?
3) What is the biggest threat to coral reefs?
4) Give two examples of how to reduce your carbon footprint.
5) How can we reduce our plastic waste?
6) Why mustn't we eat too much fish?
D. YOUR TURN!
Complete the following declaration of opinion
Our names are __________ and _____________. We live in ________________________, on the Mediterranean Sea.
When we look at our sea, we think it is/is not repected because........
To help protect our beaches and our sea, we could........
BONUS: Design a poster on the dangers of plastic pollution
