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global warming causing an
increase in extreme weather?
And how will this affect our lives?
I went to meet a few scientists to
get some answers.
LESSON 11.1 RECORDING 11.2
S = Scientist, P= Presenter
S:
Well, across the globe, there has
certainly been an increase in the
frequency of heatwaves and of
periods of heavy rain. I think this is
a result of global warming.
Basically, the increase in average
global temperature increases the
risk of extreme weather events
occurring. For example, since
1950, heatwaves have become
much more common – 30 times
more likely, in fact. Remember,
though, I’m talking about the
frequency of these events, not their
size or strength. We will have
more heatwaves, but they won’t all
be hotter than before.
P:
That was Professor Spratt of
Imperial College explaining that
there has been an increase in
extreme weather; we’re not
imagining it. Floods and droughts
have become more common
because heatwaves and rainstorms
have become more frequent.
Basically, the risk, or chance, of
extreme rainfall or drought is
increasing.
So, what about hurricanes and
tornadoes? The research data also
shows an increase in the frequency
of hurricanes and tornadoes over
the last 30 years. Some scientists
question this data. One of them is
Dr Baxter of …
LESSON 11.1 RECORDING 11.3
S = Scientist, P= Presenter
P:
And so how will this increase in
heatwaves and heavy rainfall affect
our lives? Here’s Professor Spratt
again.
S:
Different countries in different
parts of the world will experience
different consequences. For
instance, some countries will have
serious shortages of water. There is
one problem that will affect the
whole globe, and that is a global
increase in the cost of basic food.
For example, the global price of
wheat has risen by 30% since last
year. This is because the droughts
and floods have a negative effect
on food production. In the US this
summer, the worst drought for
50 years has destroyed almost half
of the corn crop.
Overall, there will be significant
social, technological and
economic change. However, there
are still many things we can do in
order to reduce global warming,
such as using solar power. If we
reduce global warming, then we’ll
stop extreme weather becoming
normal weather.
LESSON 11.3 RECORDING 11.4
P = Poppy, R = Rick
P:
Right then, so, the next project is
Wild City. What do you think of
this one?
R:
Well, the best thing is that it’s
definitely a green project. I mean,
you can’t get much greener than a
wildlife park, can you?
P:
Indeed, you can’t. And it certainly
makes the local area a better place
to live, doesn’t it?
R:
Mm-hm. Urban wasteland areas
really ruin any local area – they
make the whole place feel unloved
and dirty.
P:
Exactly. So, what about the other
points on the guidelines? The
project solves a problem, doesn’t
it? Getting rid of the wasteland.
And of course, it involves local
people working together.
R:
Sure. But there are a couple of
points that it doesn’t meet, aren’t
there?
P:
Well, yes, but that’s quite normal,
isn’t it?
R:
Sure, but this project needs 10,000
dollars a year. And we can’t really
give them that much money.
P:
No, that’s true. What do you think
they need that money for?
R:
Well, I reckon it’s to pay for the
local people who’ll look after the
park.
P:
Hmm. I guess so. Well, they could
do it unpaid, couldn’t they?
R:
Hmm, perhaps, but we’ve seen
that fail before, haven’t we? If no
one gets any money at all, then
things like parks soon look bad.
You know, there’s more litter, you
start getting graffiti, that kind of
thing.
P:
Mmm, yes, that’s all true. Why
don’t we offer 4,000 dollars per
year, for five years?
R:
Yes, that’s fine. Right, well, there’s
one more point that the project
doesn’t meet.
P:
Is there? Which one?
LESSON 12.1 RECORDING 12.1
D = Darren, N = Noora, L = Lesley,
I = Ibrahim, K = Keri
D:
Welcome back. I’m Darren Bright,
and as usual at this time, we’re
looking at today’s papers.
Remember – this show is
interactive, so if you want to
comment on anything, or ask a
question, just send your emails to
brightinthemorning – that’s all one
word – @fivethirtytv.com
.
The
address is on your screen now,
and Nikki over there will receive
all your emails. Morning, Nikki.
N:
Hi, Darren.
D:
Our first topic this morning is sport
and in particular minority sports.
With me in the studio are Lesley
Diggot-Blake, the Minister for
Sport, the journalist and
commentator Ibrahim, and actress
Keri. Welcome to you all.
GUESTS:
Morning/Good morning.
D:
There’s a letter in the papers this
morning from someone who wants
more investment in minority sports
and more stories about them in the
media. Then, the writer says, we
would be more successful in
international competitions. Lesley
Diggot-Blake, what do you think?
Would we be better at minority
sports if we spent more money on
them?
L:
To be honest, I was a little
surprised when I saw that letter,
because this government has
actually invested a lot of money in
minority sports over the last few
years. Also, people doing these
minority sports are using a lot of
excellent facilities. There was
something else that surprised me.
The writer suggests that our
sportsmen and women haven’t
been very successful in minority
sports in recent years. But that’s
not true. Most Olympic sports are
in fact minority sports, and our
results are often very good. Can I
say, though, that success isn’t just
about government money …
D:
All right, sorry to interrupt, we’ll
come back to you later, but
we’ve got our first email. It says:
‘What can you read about judo
in the newspapers? Almost
nothing. Can you see badminton
on TV? Fat chance! The media is
only interested in football. If the
media showed more interest in
