At first, I thought I was fighting to save rubber
trees. Then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I
realise I am fighting for humanity.’ These words were spoken by Chico Mendes, a
Brazilian activist who spent his life putting up a fight to preserve the Amazon
forest and uphold the rights of indigenous peoples.
September
5th is the global day of action – the
day that serves as a reminder that we should all rethink our attitudes and
contribute to a more sustainable future.
– Ask your
students about the importance of rainforests. Elicit answers. (e.g. they absorb
carbon dioxide and release oxygen, they help regulate the Earth’s climate, they
house a large number of animal and plant species, etc.)
– Have your students do the following quiz. (It could
be done either individually or in pairs.)
1. The Amazon basin stretches over
nearly
a. 7.000.000 km² (correct answer)
b. 5.000.000 km²
c. 3.000.000 km²
2. The Amazon basin is shared by
a. 5 countries
b. 7 countries
c. 9 countries (correct answer)
3. The Amazon is home to
approximately
a. 20.000.000 people
b. 30.000.000 people (correct answer)
c. 40.000.000 people
4. The Amazon River is believed to
be
a. less than 6.000 km long
b. 6.000 km long
c. more than 6.000 km long (correct answer)
5. The number of trees found in the
Amazon rainforest comes up to roughly
a. 100.000.000.000
b. 400.000.000.000 (correct answer)
c. 700.000.000.000
6. The area of the rainforest that
has already been destroyed is believed to be about
a. 10%
b. 15%
c. 20% (correct answer)
– Click on the following links to watch the videos and
generate a class discussion. Ask students about what they think lies behind the
destruction of the rainforest and have them come up with possible solutions.
3 ways you can help the Amazon rainforest
– Click on the following link for further information.
– For advanced students, you can download a Reading Comprehension
exercise taken from Unit 5 of our Voices C1 Advanced Student’s Book.
– For students of B1-C2 levels, you can assign a pair
work activity. Brainstorm a list of rainforest-related vocabulary and write it
on the board. Have students sit in pairs and ask them to write a paragraph,
including at least 8 of the words written on the board. Each pair can read out
their paragraph in class.
– Suggested activity: advanced students can read the
book The Burning Season by Andrew
Revkin or watch the biographical drama film The Burning Season, which is based on the book. They can also
write a book or film review for further writing practice.
