Unit 6 · Environment & Society · Lesson 26
Our Planet
Learn the vocabulary you actually need to discuss climate change and the environment. You'll link causes and effects clearly so you can share your view with confidence.
Warm-up · §1
5 minGet talking
What's one environmental change you've noticed where you live?
Name one green habit you've kept — and one you gave up on. Why?
What was the last environmental story you saw? Summarise it in 3 sentences.
Grammar focus · §2
8–10 minZero & first conditionals — cause and effect
Quick rule
Zero = fact (if + present, present). First = future possibility (if + present, will/won't).
Pattern builder
Zero — general truth
If + present simple, present simple
e.g. If ice melts, sea levels rise.
First — future prediction
If + present simple, will/won't + verb
e.g. If we act now, we'll slow it down.
Negative condition
Unless + present simple, will/won't + verb
e.g. Unless we change, emissions will rise.
Ongoing condition
As long as + present, will + verb
e.g. As long as demand grows, forests will disappear.
Compare
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | Scientific facts, always-true cause/effect | If CO2 rises, temperatures go up. |
| First | Realistic future outcomes | If we recycle more, we'll cut waste. |
| Unless | Same as 'if not' | Unless we act, things will worsen. |
Examples
- →
If sea levels rise, coastal cities flood.
- →
If we don't act now, the damage will be permanent.
- →
Plastic breaks down into microplastics if you leave it in the ocean.
- →
Unless governments regulate, companies won't change.
- →
As long as we keep burning fossil fuels, emissions will keep rising.
Common mistakes
If we will act, the planet recovers.
✓ If we act, the planet will recover.
No 'will' in the if-clause of first conditional.
Unless we don't act, it gets worse.
✓ Unless we act, it will get worse.
'Unless' already means 'if not' — no double negative.
Natural English
In debate, mix zero and first: 'If plastic goes into the sea, it stays there. And if we don't act, the damage will be permanent.' Two levels of certainty in two sentences.
Deep dive (full explanation)
Zero conditional talks about things that are always true: 'If temperatures rise, ice melts.' First conditional talks about real future possibilities: 'If we cut emissions, the planet will recover more slowly than we think.' Mix them naturally in environment talk — one for facts, one for predictions.
Question 1.'If sea levels ___, coastal cities flood.'
Question 2.'If we act now, we ___ the damage.'
Question 3.'___ we change, emissions will keep rising.'
Question 4.'As long as demand ___, forests will disappear.'
Question 5.Which is a general fact (zero conditional)?
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.'If sea levels ___, coastal cities flood.'
Quick check 2.'If we act now, we ___ the damage.'
Vocabulary · §3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
climate change
long-term shifts in global weather patterns.
carbon footprint
the total emissions caused by a person or activity.
greenhouse gases
gases (like CO2) that trap heat in the atmosphere.
renewable energy
energy from sources that don't run out (solar, wind).
fossil fuels
coal, oil and gas — non-renewable and polluting.
single-use plastic
plastic thrown away after one use.
biodiversity
the variety of living things in an area.
sustainable
able to continue without damaging the environment.
to offset
to balance emissions by supporting a green project.
to phase out
to stop using something gradually.
Activate it now
Try the new words on real life.
- Make it yours#1
Which part of your carbon footprint is hardest to reduce?
carbon footprintto offset - Your view#2
Should governments phase out fossil fuels by 2035? Why or why not?
fossil fuelsto phase out - Rank#3
Rank most to least urgent: single-use plastic, air travel, meat, fast fashion.
single-use plasticsustainable - Complete#4
Finish: 'The most sustainable change I've actually made is ___.'
sustainable - Discuss#5
Is 'offsetting' a real solution or just a way to feel better?
to offsetgreenhouse gases
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · §4
3–4 minWord stress on environment vocabulary
Longer environment words have one clear stressed syllable. Say 'sus-TAIN-able', not 'SUS-tain-able'. 'Re-NEW-able'. 'Bio-di-VER-si-ty'. Wrong stress makes fluent listeners work harder to follow you.
- sus-TAIN-able
- re-NEW-able
- bio-di-VER-si-ty
- GREEN-house GAS-es
- CAR-bon FOOT-print
Reading · §5
8–10 minSmall Change, Big Change
Listen to the passage
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Most of us know the basics. If we drive less, emissions fall. If we eat less meat, our carbon footprint shrinks. If we throw single-use plastic in the sea, it stays there for centuries. None of this is new. What's harder is knowing which small changes actually matter, and which just make us feel better. Reusable coffee cups are lovely, but they won't save the planet on their own. A single long-haul flight can wipe out a year of careful recycling in a single afternoon. The honest answer is that individual habits do count — but only if they push us towards bigger, systemic change. If enough people cut down on flying, airlines notice. If enough households switch to renewable energy, the grid shifts. If enough shoppers refuse single-use plastic, supermarkets change what they stock. So yes: bring the reusable cup. But also vote, write, share and pressure. Unless governments and companies move, individual effort will always be a drop in an ocean we're helping to fill.
Question 1.What does the writer say about reusable coffee cups?
Question 2.What can wipe out a year of recycling?
Question 3.When do individual habits matter, according to the text?
Question 4.What does the writer suggest we do besides recycling?
Q1.The writer thinks individual habits are pointless.
Q2.Long-haul flights have a large environmental cost.
Q3.The writer believes governments and companies must also change.
Listening · §6
8–10 minTwo flatmates deciding what to change (about 1:30)
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Sam:Right — I want us to actually cut our footprint this year. Not just talk about it.
Rae:Okay. Where do we even start?
Sam:If we switch to a renewable energy tariff, that's the biggest single thing at home.
Rae:Is it much more expensive?
Sam:About the same now, actually. And if we don't fly this year, that's massive.
Rae:Both flights? Even the wedding in Spain?
Sam:Okay, one flight. But train for the shorter trips.
Rae:Fine. What about food?
Sam:Meat twice a week max. Unless we cut back, our footprint won't budge.
Rae:Agreed. And phase out the single-use plastic in the kitchen.
Sam:Three real changes. Better than fifty small ones we won't stick to.
Question 1.Sam's biggest single change at home?
Question 2.How many flights will they take?
Question 3.How much meat per week?
Question 4.Why do they choose three changes?
Exam skills · §7
5 minStrategy focus — Cause and effect in Speaking Part 3
Task
Part 3 often asks about global issues. Weak answers list problems. Strong answers link cause to effect.
Strategy
Chain conditionals: 'If X happens, Y happens. And if Y happens, then Z…' Two or three linked steps show reasoning without extra vocabulary.
Example
If we keep burning fossil fuels, temperatures will keep rising. And if temperatures rise, extreme weather becomes normal. Unless governments act on both energy and transport, individual effort won't be enough.
Practice · §8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.If ice ___, sea levels rise.
Question 2.We ___ act if we want change.
Question 3.___ we cut emissions, temperatures will keep rising.
Question 4.Solar is a form of ___ energy.
Question 5.Companies are trying to ___ single-use plastic.
Question 6.Flights add a lot to your carbon ___.
Q1.Fill: 'If we ___ (act) now, we'll slow it down.'
Q2.Fill: 'Unless governments ___ (regulate), companies won't change.'
Q3.One-word: 'coal, oil and gas' = f___ fuels.
Writing · §9
5 minPut it in writing
Your task
Write a 130–170 word opinion post: 'Three real changes I could make this year.' Use at least THREE conditionals (mix zero and first) and FIVE items of environment vocabulary.
Your answer
Show model answer
Three Real Changes I Could Make This Year I'm tired of pretending small gestures are enough. If I only reuse a coffee cup, my carbon footprint won't move. So this year, three real changes. First, energy. If I switch to a renewable tariff, the impact at home is immediate. It's the same price now, so there's no excuse. Second, flights. Unless I stop flying short-haul, everything else is noise. One long trip a year, trains for the rest. Yes, it's slower — but if we don't rethink flying, no amount of recycling will offset it. Third, food. I'll cut meat to twice a week and phase out single-use plastic in the kitchen. Small on their own, but they add up. Three changes I can actually stick to beats fifty I'll forget by March. If enough of us do the same, industries will finally notice.
Speaking · §10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
ROLEPLAY — The Green Choices Chat. Your teacher or partner asks: 'What real environmental changes are you making this year?' Answer in 60–90 seconds using at least THREE conditionals and FOUR items of environment vocabulary. Then swap.
Useful phrases
- • If we don't act, ___ will get worse.
- • Unless governments regulate, ___
- • The biggest thing I can change is ___
- • It's not perfect, but ___
- • As long as we keep ___, nothing will change.
- • My carbon footprint is highest when ___
- FriendAre you actually doing anything different this year?
- You_______________
- FriendWhat about at home?
- You_______________
- FriendIsn't individual action pointless though?
- You_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Optional teacher-led activities for group settings. ~18 min total
Homework · §11
Take-homeTake it home
Write the 150-word 'Three Real Changes' post about your own life.
Record a 90-second voice note answering: 'What's the most sustainable change you've actually kept?'
Write true sentences using: carbon footprint, renewable energy, fossil fuels, sustainable, phase out, offset.
Watch a 3-minute climate news clip. Note two conditionals the presenter uses.
Recap · §12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- You can use zero and first conditionals to link cause and effect about the environment.
- You can talk about climate, energy and lifestyle change with precise B2 vocabulary.
- You can explain three real changes you'd make and why they matter.
- You're ready for Lesson 27 — 'What If We…' with mixed conditionals.