Lesson 26 – Something has to change!

Warm up

1. What do you know about Human rights?
2. How about animal rights, what do you know about it?
   Animal rights organizations want us to stop using animals in cruel ways, e.g. in cruel sports or testing new products to find out if they are safe for people. Like human rights, animals have rights too. What do you think about that?

3. Fight for their rights: Animal testing Animal testing is used in many ways for many reasons, in smoking tests, for example, dogs breathe cigarette smoke continuously to find out how dangerous smoking is for people. Two of the most common tests are the Draize eye test and the LD50 test. The Draize eye test is used to find out if a new product, like a new soap, will affect people’s eyes. In the tests, rabbits’ eyelids are kept open with clips, and they can not move their heads. Then the product is put in their eyes. The tests last a week, but many animals break their necks trying to escape from the pain before the test is complete. In the LD50 test, LD means ‘Lethal Dose- that is how much of something you can take before it kills you. It tests any chemical by giving more and more of it to a group of animals until 50 percent of them die. Some experts say animal tests correctly predict effects on people only 38 percent of the time, and there are other ways of testing that do not need animals. So why do we do them? You are going to read a page from an animal rights Website, Look at the text below. Which organization the page is from (Fight for their rights). What the text is about (animal testing)?

4. Read the text and help your neighbors with anything they do not understand. Compare your opinions on the different tests.
   Why do we do the test?
   Is it useful?
   What would happen if we did not do it?
   Should we allow it?
   What should we do about it?

Main Activity

1. You are going to look at another important issue. Make groups of three or four. Look at the information on Global warming and Clean water for everyone above, and each group chooses one.
   – What are the main parts of the problem?
   – Why is it a problem? 3 What are the causes?
   – What are the results?
   – What should we do about it?
2. Talk about the information and the questions. You should each write short notes, not sentences, about the problem.
3. You are going to explain your subject to the class. a Global warming group talks about question 1. Groups who did Clean water ask questions.
4.  Repeat step 3 for all the other questions with different groups until the topic has been covered.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for Clean water.
6. Discuss with your group which topic is the most important problem and what we should do about it.
   

Follow up

Exercises

Read the text and answer the questions!

Income inequality remains a pervasive and pressing social issue in many societies. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, leading to disparities in access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for upward mobility. This issue not only affects individuals and families but also has broader implications for social cohesion and economic stability. Efforts to address income inequality often involve policy changes, social programs, and advocacy for fair wages to create a more equitable and just society.

Despite growing awareness of mental health issues, there persists a significant stigma surrounding mental health in various communities. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help, leading to untreated mental health conditions. Addressing mental health stigma involves education, open conversations, and challenging stereotypes. Creating supportive environments where individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health is crucial for fostering understanding and empathy, ultimately breaking down the barriers that contribute to mental health stigma.

Environmental justice has become a critical social issue as marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation and pollution. These communities, often low-income and with predominantly minority populations, face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards. Efforts to address environmental justice include advocating for equitable policies, community empowerment, and sustainable practices that prioritize the well-being of all residents. Bridging the gap in environmental justice is essential for ensuring that every individual, regardless of their socio-economic status, can live in a healthy and safe environment.