APLE COMPUTER ROOM LESSON APRIL 16TH

Hello Students,
This year I am in charge of the building and the economy of the school. I am deeply concerned about the unbelievable amount of money we spend on electricity (over 2,000 € every month) and thought that maybe together we could try to find some ways to save energy, the environment and money.

First of all, we are going to talk about the "Earth Hour". Do you know what it is? Did you take part in it this year? Are you for or against it?



I want you to watch a video about the project. Since our Internet connection is really slow, we'll be watching it on the overhead projector.
Now you have five minutes to research about this project. Try to find the answer to questions like:

-When did it start?
-Where did it start?
-How many people/countries/cities have taken part in it this year?
-What is the purpose of this initiative?
-Are there people against it?
-Did it happen in Madrid or Majadahonda?

Now you are going to listen to an article about it and you are going to try to fill in these blanks:




Millions of buildings around the globe _________________ hour on Saturday, March 28 as the third Earth Hour takes place. The event is organized by the World Wildlife Fund. It started in 2007 ________________ attention to the dangers of climate change. The Earth Hour website says: “For _________________ history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity _________________ switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming.” Organizers hope their message _________________ people. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Earth Hour promises to be “the largest demonstration _________________ about climate change ever attempted”.


Not everyone agrees that Earth Hour will help. Many _________________ too little, too late and _________________ change when the lights are switched back on. Climate campaigner Clive Hamilton says: "We are well _________________ feel-good exercises aimed at raising awareness… It's like the band playing on as the Titanic sinks.” He says _________________ because the next morning people will think the climate has recovered a little. "Symbolism is powerful _________________, but dangerous if it substitutes for it," he says. Environmentalist Mark Alexander-Warne agrees. He stresses _________________ our daily energy consumption, rather than simply “sitting around in the dark” for an hour.

Now it is time to work in pairs and decide what we could do to save energy at school and how we can try to make other people aware this has to be done.

Here you have a couple of places where you can see photos from the event. The Guardian and CNN.

Let's see how it went.
Javier