DEBATE CLUB #3: The Los Angeles Fires : A taste of things to come?
We have recently been witnessing dramatic fires in Los Angeles. Is this a once in a lifetime event, or the beginning of things to come in an overheating world? Come and discuss this “burning” topic at tonight’s Debate Club!
VENEZ NOUS REJOINDRE POUR PARLER DE CE THÈME !
C'est l'occasion rêvée pour pratiquer votre anglais dans une ambiance détendue. Animées par des professeurs qualifiés de langue maternelle anglaise, les séances de conversation du Debate Club sont conviviales, engageantes et efficaces !
VENUE & TEACHERS
- AIX: 19h00 to 20h30 with Sophie Bussenius
- MARSEILLE: 19h00 to 20h30 with Simon Allchin
QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE
Are these fires the worst disaster in the history of Los Angeles?
Does the intense media reporting exaggerate the gravity of the situation?
Is this being mediatised because Los Angeles is the home to many celebrity stars?
Have the fires spread because of bad urban planning and development?
Doesn't the USA have a history of extreme climatic events?
We often get the impression that American homes are built of wood and plasterboard, which surely encourages fires?
What is the link between extreme drought conditions and excessive rainfall and flooding?
If this fire is a direct result of global warming, what must we do now?
The current American government doesn't seem to think that climate change is an issue. Is this true or not?
As Europeans, do we have a distorted understanding of how Americans in general see climate change?
VOCABULARY
above normal temperatures
acreage
aid package
below normal temperatures
blaze
break out (fire) (v)
clean-up crews
emergency services
exceed (v)
fire fighter
fire prevention
fix (v)
flare up (v)
homeowner
ignite(v)
insurance policy
lowland vegetation
neighbourhood
put out (fire) (v)
rainfall
recovery
scorch (v)
toxic ash
wildfires
SEARCH THE WEB FOR IDEAS!
Find articles and/or videos on the web and come prepared to share the information you have found with the others.
SUGGESTED SEARCH WORDS FOR THIS SUBJECT
American views on climate change
extreme weather events in the USA
the Los Angeles fires
Trump and the environment
SUGGESTED WEBSITES FOR MATERIALS
https://www.bbc.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/?gl=GB
www.guardian.co.uk
www.independent.co.uk
www.nytimes.com
KEY PHRASES
For general phrases for debates, CLICK HERE
