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Environment and sustainability are critical BAC Terminale themes with rich vocabulary and debate. Climate change : caused by greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, methane) from fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture. Consequences: rising temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather, biodiversity loss, climate refugees. International response : Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Agreement (2015 — limit warming to 1.5-2°C), COP summits, IPCC reports. Africa's vulnerability : the continent contributes least to emissions but suffers most — drought, desertification (Sahel), coastal flooding, food insecurity. Solutions : renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro), energy efficiency, reforestation, circular economy, carbon taxes, green technology. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) : 17 goals adopted by the UN in 2015 for 2030. Key debates : climate justice (who should pay?), green growth vs degrowth, nuclear energy, carbon offsetting. Key vocabulary : carbon footprint, net zero, carbon neutrality, biodiversity, ecosystem, fossil fuels, renewable energy, climate justice, desertification.
Exercise 1 : Answer fully.
1. Explain the greenhouse effect in simple terms.
2. Why is Africa particularly vulnerable to climate change despite contributing little to it?
3. What are the main criticisms of the Paris Agreement?
Exercise 2 : Write an argumentative essay (250 words):
'Developing countries should not be held to the same environmental standards as developed nations. To what extent do you agree?'
What is the greenhouse effect and how does it cause climate change?
Correction
The greenhouse effect is the natural process by which atmospheric gases (CO₂, water vapour, methane) trap heat from the sun, keeping Earth warm. Human activities — burning fossil fuels, deforestation — increase concentrations of these greenhouse gases, enhancing the effect beyond natural levels. This causes global average temperatures to rise (global warming), triggering climate change: altered weather patterns, melting ice caps, rising sea levels.
What is climate justice?
Correction
Climate justice recognises that climate change impacts are not distributed equally — the poorest and most vulnerable communities (who have contributed least to emissions) suffer the most. It argues that wealthy, high-emission nations have a moral and financial responsibility to: (1) reduce emissions more sharply; (2) fund climate adaptation in developing nations; (3) compensate for loss and damage already caused. It links environmental issues to human rights and global equity.
What is the circular economy and how does it differ from the linear economy?
Correction
The linear economy follows a 'take-make-dispose' model: extract resources, make products, discard them. The circular economy aims to eliminate waste by keeping materials in use as long as possible: reuse, repair, remanufacture, recycle. Example: a phone company that designs phones to be easily repaired and recycled. The circular economy reduces resource extraction and environmental degradation.