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Project week - Power for the People (Demo) 2023Lead-in: Words and actions
Climate change and environmental protection are popular commonplaces in the media or political speeches.
Task:
- Take a look at the following quotations from political leaders and activists.
- How do you assess these quotes? Do you agree or disagree with them?
- Where do you see difficulties or discrepancies between 'words and actions'?
Quotation 1
We can choose to believe that superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science, and act before it's too late.
— Barack Obama, Fmr. President of the USA, 2013
Quotation 2
I believe that the situation that we face [related to climate change], [...] is as dangerous as any of the sort of real crises that we talk about.
Today we had a hearing [...] on the subject of Syria, and we all know what's happening with respect to Iran, and nuclear weapons and the possibility even of a war. Well, this issue [of climate change] actually is of as significant a level of importance, because it affects life itself on the planet.
— John Kerry, Fmr. Secretary of State
Quotation 3
At a time when governments throughout the world are struggling to boost growth, increase access to energy and improve food security, it is essential that the full costs and benefits of climate policies are more clearly understood.
— Nicolas Stern, British Economist, October 2013
Quotation 4
The energy transition is finally underway, and no-one can return to the old structures! And I don't know anyone who would seriously want to.
— Professor Klaus Töpfer, Fmr. executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), November 2013