Lesson 5 SURE TO CURE

1. Find the picture that refers to the word «litterbug» among the collage pictures on p. 116. In pairs, think about how you can explain the meaning of this word to make a dictionary entry. Exchange your ideas in class and decide which one is the best.

2. Do you agree?

Nobody likes a litterbug but does the punishment always fit the crime?

1. A US police officer fined a lady $344 (£220) when the dollar she gave to a homeless person landed on the pavement.

2. An Essex dog walker was fined £50 for littering after grooming her pets in a local park.

3. Singapore has strict anti-littering laws. In January a smoker was fined $19,800 (£9,500) for throwing cigarette butts out of his window.

4. A British holidaymaker in Italy accidentally dropped a piece of sausage on the ground and was charged £75 - even though pigeons had already picked the sausage up.

5. A volunteer street cleaner in the West Midlands was fined £75 when city council workers accused him of fly-tipping (illegally leaving things that you do not want next to a road, in fields, in rivers, etc.)

What punishment do you think would best fit the crime of littering? Discuss the issue in class. Ground your opinion.

3. Look at the pictures. Which of the problems discussed above are being solved? Whose responsibility is taking care of these problems?

4. Look back at the list of problems discussed in lesson 3. In small groups, discuss the possible ways to solve the problems and those who must take responsibility for that. Fill in the table below.

5. Can any of the environ mental problems be solved by schoolchildren and teenagers? What can those problems be?

Have you ever taken part in any of such activities? What was it?

Did you do it alone or as part of an activity?

Do you think such activities should better be organised or doing them alone is all right?

Who and how should organise them? Is it a good way for volunteers to take part?

Discuss the issue in small groups and come up with your ideas in class.

6. Work in groups of 3—4. Imagine that you are a volunteering group and you are going to organise some activity to help the environment. On an A4 paper make a poster announcing your activity. Make sure you include:

- the name of your volunteering group;

- why your activity is important;

- the time and place of the activity;

- a short slogan to attract people.

7. Think about the Code of Honour of an environmental volunteering group or club. Prepare it for discussing in class.

Did you know?

In 2012, environmental taxes raised 7.5 % of total UK revenue.