ESL Conversation Topic - 30 Climate Change Questions

Below is a list of 30 conversation questions about climate change for your ESL/EFL classroom. This exercise works really well as a group activity where the students collect all the results and present them to the class at the end. See sample table at the bottom.

1. Do you believe global warming is a real problem or a bunch of exaggerated lies?

2. According to an article written by The Guardian newspaper “The climate crisis of the 21st century has been caused largely by just 90 companies, which between them produced nearly two-thirds of the greenhouse gas emissions generated since the dawning of the industrial age.” Discuss this statement. Think about the needs of the consumers, the jobs the companies provide and contributions to pollution and global warming.

3. What is the worst incident of pollution caused by a big company in your opinion?

4. Do you think that companies such as BP, Chevron and Exxon can produce a commodity without leaving a carbon footprint?

5. Do you buy from companies that have a genuine environmental policy?

6. The majority of the companies that create the most pollution are the ones powering or making your gadgets. Regardless, many of these companies, especially technology companies, have very green business practices. Do you think that this will a trend that will continue in the future? Why?

7. How do you personally contribute to climate change?

8. How do harmful gases get into the ozone layer?

9. Everyone talks about the negative effects of greenhouse gases, but are there are positives?

10. What kind of renewable energies does your country use?

11. Do you have any renewable sources of energy in your home?

12. Is your home energy efficient?

13. Do you use air conditioning in your home or car?

14. Would you pay more money to have an energy saving oven or fridge?

15. People in the UK are using 10% less energy (2014) than they were 5 years previous, even though they are still buying smartphones, T.V.s, tablets and computers. Why do you think this is?

16. Can you think of any technology for harnessing energy that isn't too expensive, difficult to install or needs regular maintenance?

17. What's your opinion on nuclear energy?

18. What is your opinion about electric cars?

19. Discuss some of the problems that arise from higher sea levels.

20. What is the most negative story in the media you've heard about climate change?

21. What countries have a high population?

22. Make a prediction about the population of the world in 2050.

23. How will the increase in population impact food sources?

24. Do you think there should be a 1-child policy worldwide?

25. What are some of the positive and negative effects of enforcing a 1-child ban?

26. Do you think that developing countries should be allowed to evolve industrially the way developed countries were, even if it creates more problems for the environment?

27. Do you recycle? Why/why not?

28. What about recycling things like socks and underwear – how could these be reused?

29. How can governments get more people to recycle?

30. Have you heard of any positive stories about how people are trying to combat climate change on a small scale?