Climate Change Monologue

In this unit of World History we talked about climate change and how it affects everyone all around the world.  We read articles about families in different Countries such as Malawi, which was recently flooded, and we also learned about protests that have been occurring.  My monologues were in the perspective of a factory worker, a child speaking to her mother, and an actual coal factory.  All of the characters in my monologue were aware of what Global Warming is doing to the world.  My goal was to show how although 3 people all know what is happening with climate change and are against it, they still have different views and opinions within that.

Monologue #1

Patrick R. Linton Monologue

(Patrick walks into his bosses office looking very nervous.)


Hello, yes, thanks for seeing me Mr. Ross, I just have a few things to talk to you about.  Uh yes, I am aware that you’re a very busy man but I feel like this issue is pretty important.  Well uh, I don’t know how much knowledge you have on Global Warming and you know the release of Carbon Dioxide...No, I don’t think you’re stupid Mr.Ross I was just curious, anyways, since we work in a factory that contributes to the release of CO2 I thought we could inform our workers about what was going on and maybe see if we could look into making changes in the future... Mr.Ross, I really don’t think it would cause as many problems as you believe.  We could bring in an organization like 350 to explain to everyone what’s going on… I know you think that changing how we do things would cost us a lot of money, but it’s nothing compared to what we’d be doing to save the planet...We’re one of the Countries that are contributing greatly to the release of CO2 in the atmosphere but it’s effecting people in places like India, Malawi, and the Philippines.  Do you remember the Typhoon that happened in the Philippines?  So many people lost their homes and loved ones and it’s because of Global Warming!  This is a repercussion of things that the U.S. are contributing to.  You can’t just sit there and think only about yourself!  Please Mr.Ross, try be reasonable, No I really need my job, I just wanted to see...I understand.  (Begins walking out) You know what, I actually don’t understand. Why are you so against the idea of change? Or the idea of you changing what you’re used to, and might I just add if you don’t want to change now, are you going to feel differently when the weather and environment are?(Pause) You know what Mr.Ross, I’m sorry that you’re so blind to what’s going on around you but I refuse to participate in something I don’t believe in.  So good day!  That’s fine, I was going to quit anyways.   



Monologue #2

Factory


Cough, Cough, Cough,  It sucks to know that you’ve assisted in the murder of thousands of men, women, and children.  It sucks knowing that you were a part of the destruction of someones home and life.  It really sucks that you can’t do anything about it.  There is no one I can talk to, not that I could move from my “beautiful” piece of land in Texas.  My whole life I have been working and working, creating coal and spewing out smoke.  The smoke is awful.  It causes so much sickness and death.  I am literally a disease, and no one likes diseases.  I see what’s going on, all the other coal factories are releasing the same disease that I am.  But no, shut me down, and guess how many people will lose their  jobs?  Too many, shut me down and “how on earth will we find another way to supply our coal? because this is the way we’re used to doing it.”  Oh, I guarantee you that you’ll find a way.  Humans need to think more along the lines of, “Shut me down and how many people’s lives will we save?  Shut me down and the future generations could see what it is like to live in a world with no pollution, less sickness, and more happiness.  I am in no way a human being but at least I can act like one.  I’m done hearing about families who have to send and sell their children to factories because after the flood or after the drought, they didn’t have enough money for food.  If I can sacrifice myself, then you should be able to sacrifice your comfort zone too.  I’m ready to be shut down, you just need to be ready to do it.


Monologue #3

Schooling


Mom! I’m home!!!  School, was fine.  Mr.Johnson gave us a pop quiz in math and we did an experiment in science class! Oh, and Ms.Smith taught us some really cool stuff in social studies.  Did you know that were violently killing the planet?!? No really, I’m serious, we’re murderers (draws out murderers.)  OK mom, you obviously don’t understand, carbon dioxide, which is CO2, we learned that in science class, gets all in the atmosphere and that would make our planet go from livable to not so livable.  Yeah, isn't it crazy!  Oh, and apparently, hang on, let me check my paper(rummages through book bag)  Apparently to keep the planet livable we have to keep the amount of CO2 below the level of 350 parts per million but right now we’re at 400 ppm!  That’s at least 50 parts per million more than what it should be at.  I thought the same thing mother, what a great question, what exactly will happen when too much CO2 gets into the atmosphere?  Well Ms. Smith said that we’re already seeing some of the outcomes.  Like the drought in California and the Typhoon in the Philippines.  If you don’t know what a Typhoon is, it’s just a hurricane that happens in the Northwest pacific.  I found that one out all my myself.  But a lot of people in the Philippines during the Typhoon lost their homes and families.  Isn’t it! It’s so sad, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose our house or you and dad, even losing Grace would make me upset and she’s a terrible sister.  Dad is home!  Hey dad wanna know why you’re a killer?


(Video is Monologue #1)


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