World History - Block - C Public Feed

Create a Post

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Tomas Arango in World History - Block - C on

​ In this unit we learned about climate change and talked about how it is the next big global crisis. In class we had discussions and watched movies about the issue. In the monologues that I have written, they show the different perspectives people have on the issue of climate change and its affects on people around the world.

First Monologue:                                     
The Sea

West Africa, 2014. Tim Owusu


(Walks through the door, he’s pissed off)

We didn't get anything. There’s nothing in the area or out outside it.


We’re trying as hard as we can sir


I understand we're not catching anything but I don’t think it’s our fault.

(paces back and forth)


Waters are getting darker , fish are leaving the area…..I’m not making up things!!, you think I like this?! I have a family of 4 to feed and I’m not making any money. It’s been a year since we've made a big catch, the planet is changing, the fish don’t come here anymore!


Sir, just listen to me, I've seen it myself, so have all the other boys, it’s the reason why no money is coming into your pockets and into mine.


You can’t do this sir….firing me won’t do you any good.


If you don’t believe me then ask some of the other boys...whispers, I can’t believe this crap.


It’s not just that we’re not getting any fish, the quality is terrible. No one is buying our products.


This isn’t the only place it’s happening, it’s happening Guinea, it’s happening down the coast in Nigeria. Damn it!, it’s probably happening everywhere!!

(walks to the window and gazes for a moment)


....Hiring someone to replace me isn’t going to do your business any good, what we need to do is raise awareness. It’s happening because of climate change, I’ve seen them talk about it on the news. They keep saying water levels are rising, more natural disasters are happening. That it’s also affecting the water quality. I didn't believe it at first but I've seen it myself now. My family is struggling, we can’t afford anything, we’re living on a minimum!!


I understand you're not making any money! but you have to hear me out, I want to help you sir….just give me another chance.


Thank you so much.I will do everything in my power to bring your business back, I will try.







Second Monologue:

New York City, 2014                             For a Cause

Michael Smith


To Stranger: Excuse me, excuse me, would like to take a  moment to help support climate change?Have a nice day!

Excuse me, would you like...have a nice day

To Self: I've been here standing like an idiot for 4 hours trying to get peoples attention. What’s so important that they can’t just stop and help our cause for just a minute or two, or are they just that ignorant to what’s happening to our planet. (tries to hand a flyer)

People need to snap to reality and come to realize what is actually happening, I know people have other issues but this is a pretty big one.

To Stranger: Would you like to take a moment and help and support our march to help raise awareness on climate change on September 21st?

no? ok then…

To Self: These people remind of my dad, ignorant and self centered. He never takes the time to listen to me when it comes to my rants about climate change, think it’s gibberish and nonsense and that there is no possible way it’s our fault that all this is happening,

I’m just trying to raise awareness, trying to help the people, the planet.

Some people don’t even believe it’s happening because of us, humans! I just think that’s absurd, how ignorant could you be, there has been data to back up it’s our fault for the longest time, or is that just not enough.

I really hope after this march then more people will join us on our fight against global warming. Because if they don’t our future generations will not have a world live in.



Third Monologue:

A Different Mind Set

Brooklyn, New York, 2014

Jack Smith


Bye, see you soon!(slams door)thank god he left I’m tired of all his rants.

Climate change this, climate change that, blah blah blah. Doesn't he see I’m busy with other things. My mind is somewhere else, somewhere more important, on my family.

(sits on sofa, then lays down)

I don’t know if he think living on minimum wage is easy, especially with 3 kids. Heck he doesn’t even have to pay bills, he’s got his mom for that!

(Gets up and walks into kitchen, pours himself a cup of coffee, spills it)

Damn it!, nothing good happens in this house, nothing good happens to me!

(walks back over to sofa)

I can’t believe he has gotten so far just by talking about all this climate change stuff! It’s just unfair, I work my ass off all my life just to make sure I can feed my kids and send them to school!

He’s always telling me to help his company’s cause, with a small donation when I’m the one living on a minimum wage salary, who the hell does he think he is?!

Tells me that global warming or whatever it’s called is our problem, the people fault. Tells me that I should ride my bike to work instead on driving. I don’t know how he expects me to believe all this stuff!

But if he’s happy doing what he does then, go ahead do it, just don’t let him come running to me with his little stories and facts. If he thinks that’s he’s doing something positive than ok. He should just atleast bring me some money to help me out.

I just hope he doesn't end up like me, with no money.


Movie on 10-5-14 at 7.23 PM from Tomas Arango on Vimeo.

We should've known

Posted by Luke Watson-Sharer in World History - Block - C on

Video 1 from Luke Watson-Sharer on Vimeo.

First monologue: The Philippines 2004.  Tao King. He is a farmer in a small town. The disaster left him without food. At the same time,  he became responsible for feeding everyone in the town.

Before we knew


Tao: I’m so so sorry.   We are short on everything from vegetable  to chickens.  The typhoon took everything.


No.  You do  not seeming to get it. All we have is contaminated food.  I don’t make enough to get food for everyone right now.

We do not have the supplies or the money for aid.  We are 10 kilometers from the closest town.  First, we  need to find any supplies to aid our children and find our missing family members.


No, don’t go in there.   That’s… Stop him he stole all the tomatoes we have left!


Dear God!   I’m fed up right now. I haven’t slept in 3 days, haven’t eaten in 1 and haven’t even had time to mourn for my brother who died. Please,  everyone, continue to help the community.  I have given all I have.   We have to survive with the food and water that is left.  We have next to nothing.  I’m deeply sorry.


Keep throwing rocks and see what you represent to our community.  I might be destroyed physically but not spiritually.  I knew this was gonna happen. Business’s and us have been polluting our planet for too long. This is only the beginning.  Who knows, we could lose more than our homes.  We could be underwater.

Well sir your greed and non consideration for the rest of us won’t help.  I have enough food for 20 people but have to feed 550 people.  How do you think that makes me feel?


I will try and feed everyone but first let’s work on finding our missing family and friends.  We need to build them caskets with parts of our destroyed homes.  Aid will come.


`












Seperation


It was November 22nd.   My family and I just woke up. I felt a sharp pain in my arm. It felt like my arm was separating from my body. My wife, Sandy, sat in front of me, my son Marty to the left and my daughter Jessica to the right. After I realized what was happening,  I now understand why all these polar bears are sobbing and why people come by to “try” and help.


It’s been nearly an entire year since I’ve seen my family. I miss them dearly. I told them before I’d never leave but I had to  say goodbye. Remembering them gives me hope and a desire to go home. I might be an ice glacier but I have emotions, feelings and feel pain. I just want to return and hope they aren’t melted or depressed and hoping they can get through the pain. If I had hands, I’d send letters or if I could dial a phone,  I’d try my best but I’ve been ill for a while.  I melt too fast for my structure to be maintained. I come to you the world leaders today to help me find them once again and to prevent this from happening ever again. We need to stop polluting our planet with extra parts per million of carbon dioxide so our ozone doesn’t hurt me or others. I don’t have too much time left so I’m asking to just talk to my family if they are alive again. Please restore our ozone. Please help me say goodbye one last time to my family before the ozone kills me and them.
























Hurricane Katrina victim: We should’ve known



I grew up and lived in New Orleans my entire life. My parents, my grandparents and my great grandparents were all New Orleanians. Before Katrina, my family and I just moved into a new home. We had a lawn, a white picket fence and a backyard barbecue. Growing up I never had any of that. I was so excited. A month before the “hurricane came our way,” I saw what happened in the Philippines but did not take it seriously. I didn’t know much about climate change until I researched the Philippines’ typhoon.

I learned  power plants smoke is very harmful. Carbon dioxide from the power plants, car exhaust and other ways of burning fossil fuels heats the environment.  The heat can’t escape and earth warms up.  This has caused the average temperature in the U.S. to increase 2 degrees  and increased precipitation by 5%.  When I saw the Katrina reports, it all came together.  What i learned from studying climate change and the Philippines typhoon was happening in New Orleans.

During Hurricane Katrina, I lost my dog, my white picket fence, roof, first floor, thousands of memories, my lawn and backyard barbeque.  I learned the pain of loss from a natural disaster.  I also witnessed the loses of  my neighbors and friends.  While I did not lose family members, I grieved with friends who lost family members. I then decided I had to do more than grieve.

This Sunday there will be a march. My sons, daughter, husband, and friends from my block will all attend the march.   The governments of the world must do something to turn around climate change and  global warming. We need a future where my great grandkids aren’t 50ft underwater.  I want them to grow up in New Orleans on dry land.  Please join us!

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Gabrielle Kreidie in World History - Block - C on

During the second unit in my 10th grade World History course, we discussed climate change. My class and I had long discussions and though processes on the issue of why climate change isn't always seen as real and the 2014 UN Climate Change Summit, and its affect. ​This monologue project included we all write three monologues on points of views that we believed were important or needed to be heard on the climate change discussion box. My hope was to approach my classmates with ideas from a signature leader and regular people struggling with the subject. I hoped to bring new and international perspectives to my classmates to have a larger view on climate change and its combat on the world. 

Monologue #1 (Hamesa Nirmana): 

A Indian man living in Dubai writing a letter to his father.


Pita-


Nirmana. Bana’. Build… Hamesa (always) It never stops. I get paise (money). I know you want more paise but I don’t have any more to give you. I need to survive, as well. I have places to travel every weekend, a new apartment in France, a new house in Dubai, I need to go out to eat every night and hang out with friends. I need something, I jina (live) in Dubai! One of the richest countries in the world.


To say I have not worked enough, father, is beyond false. I work more and longer here in Dubai than in Patna. Baraha (twelve)! Yes, can be twelve hours sometimes. Father, I have helped build the tallest building in the world, the only hotel in the world with 7 stars and so much more.


I told you all those sala (years) ago that I would stay in Dubai for a bit to learn about architecture design. I keep on pushing it but you must trust me, father, I need to push that flight home more and more. My company has asked me to start planning for the greatest project ever to be made.


I stand here and am making the plans for Dubai’s indoor world to be completed in 2020, building would start a year after in 2021. The temperature is changed to a perfect temperature for all. There will be 100 hotels and 20 apartment buildings. It will hold the largest mall in the world and perfect restaurants. Health resorts will be all around us with parking spots for a good 50,000 cars. The 48 million square foot giant dome, where thousands will live. 180 million are projected to visit every year.


Dubai is building a dome father. Yes, a gumbada (dome)! I know you can’t believe it, compared to what you and mother live in. I think it would be wise of you and mom to come live here in Dubai with me. I know you believe in that global warming thing, but if you want to be “protected” come to the Dome! Come to Dubai! You can have everything you want.


There are the greatest cars you will ever see, Ferrari, Bugatti, Porsche. I even have three porsche’s myself...you have to in Dubai. Father, I was thinking about buying you one. How does a red ferrari sound for you and mom on that farm? Better yet, why don’t you just move here to Dubai! You can everything you want, go anywhere you want and much more. It all comes without consequences!


Love you Pita,


Your son (Bishen)




Monologue #2 (Favela):

Thiago, a young boy from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro


"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and we need to meet this challenge together." "Climate change is a fact. Its consequences, damages and costs are already being felt around the globe." -- Heinz Fischer, federal president of Austria

Davi can’t help you, Mr. Silva… My brother is tried, he has worked on the World Cup stadiums, nonstop. He’s worked long days and usually would not return home until dinnertime, once I had returned home from school… Because I enjoy school! I get an education that I can’t get anywhere else… I don’t learn anything from these streets… All there is are drugs and prostitutes, Mr. Silva…  I dream of being an engineer, sir…  Someone that changes the world by creating things… Well yes cars are an example but I want to be a environmental engineer.

Ok. How can I explain this?... Well you have seen the stadiums right?... Well, even though most have solar panels or a form of solar and renewable energy, these stadiums have taken billions of dollars to build just so they can play four games… Yes, our government spent over ten billion dollars on stadiums that won’t even be used anytime in the future! Plus, we had to input all this equipment which were flown in from all over the world, just so games could be played… Exactly what everyone thinks. Fifa made us build all those big stadiums instead of using one’s we already have… I know Mr. Silva, you don’t like President Rousseff at all, little do.

"Brazil is a major food producer. We are aware that low-carbon farming practices both reduce emissions and increase productivity in the agricultural sector. Similarly, agroecological practices in smallholder farming help reduce rural poverty in the countryside. " -- Dilma Rousseff, president of Brazil.

Now discussing climate summit in class

I didn’t know what to think of the climate summit Mrs. Santos… It was important to have these people come together and discuss but that’s all the do, discuss. They talked for a whole day in all different types of meetings but never came to a plan or any sort of commence of a plan to embark on our challenge to fight climate change… President Obama did go to the summit, as did Prime Minister Cameron, President Hollande, and many other important head leaders. But, Putin wasn’t there, Xi Jiping wasn’t there, Chancellor Merkel,  Australia, Canada or India head leader representatives weren’t there either. Developing countries barely had a say on what their country needed help with on the topic or contribute any plan for the UN to combat climate change. It was just a bunch of talking, no action.

"Climate change is the defining issue of our age. It is defining our present. Our response will define our future. To ride this storm we need all hands on deck. That is why we are here today. We need a clear vision. The human, environmental and financial cost of climate change is fast becoming unbearable. We have never faced such a challenge. Nor have we encountered such great opportunity. A low-carbon, climate resilient future will be a better future. Cleaner. Healthier. Fairer. More stable. Not for some, but for all."  Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon.


How can I explain it to you Marcelo?... The climate change summit was almost like the world cup. Leaders from all over world came together and discussed global warming. They talked about how bad it was and very few gave points to stick with to battle it… During the world cup, there were countries that everyone paid attention to; Germany, England, Brazil, US, France, as examples. There were countries that very few thought even had a slight chance to win; Ghana, Cameroon, Bosnia, Costa Rica, Iran, as examples. It was similar during the summit. Sure some leaders didn’t appear but the people with the largest speeches and most speaking time were those from the US, France, Germany, England, Brazil but countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Guatemala, Gabon, as examples barely did.

During the summit there were certain people that held the power. Obama, Hollande, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Cameron. They were the Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi of the day. Sure they had a thing to say but it didn’t mean they were the only important ones.  

"Climate change serves as a threat multiplier and contributes to escalate conflicts over natural resources, hinder the economic development and increases pressures on international governance. The cost of not addressing climate change consists a serious threat to the stability of impacted states, as well as undermining progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals." -- Bujar Nishani, president of Albania

The whole point of the summit was to get a picture for the UN in order to fight the global warming right now. Our leaders failed to do that. It was just a field day for them, a chance for them to take photos with one another and shake hands, act as though the world is perfect but we know better Marcelo… We, the normal people, the poverty struggling people in places like the favelas around the world who don’t have a form of leadership titled to their name are the Costa Rica of the world. We have a small amount of cash but once our skills are heard and seen, the story of our world may just be heard.  

“But let me be honest.  None of this is without controversy. In each of our countries, there are interests that will be resistant to action.  And in each country, there is a suspicion that if we act and other countries don't that we will be at an economic disadvantage.  But we have to lead.  That is what the United Nations and this General Assembly is about.” President Barack Obama.


We can come together as a world to combat global warming. We saw the world come together for the world cup only two months ago. Football can connect the world, why can’t climate change? As Pele says, Brazil eats, sleeps and drinks football. It lives football! But we also live through climate change.



Monologue #3 (The Inner and Outer Angela Merkel):

Angela Merkel is about to make a speech to the UN General Assembly in the 2014 Climate Summit, she is thinking to herself.


Never have I ever witnessed a world so distraught over one simple fact. Climate change. At the height of my life, I am chancellor of Germany. I go here to the UN, I talk to other leaders and still view people that conclude that climate change isn’t real. As a former physicist and environmental minister of Germany, I know beyond a doubt with the help of the ever flowing data from more than 97% of scientist stating that global warming is completely real.


Since taking my seat as a politician in Germany, I have been a person to uphold a lot of responsibility in the environment sense. I was part of the group of selected officials and key leaders drafting Kyoto Protocol in 1997. During and after my work as environmental minister in 1994 to 1998, Germany has become a leader, if not the most impactful nation, to combat climate change. One of the largest elders in renewable energy and reductions of emissions over the past two decades.


Germany has the ability to guide the world, including developing countries and largely  industrialized countries, to take in a role to thwart global warming by creating jobs, improving the environment, polish education especially in STEM areas, promote women’s rights in STEM fields and meliorate our nation’s communication. I know for certain that now is the time to agitate global warming. We have time to modify our story before climate change takes it from us. Regulation of simply things like CO2, will bring jobs but also care for our earth.


Angela goes up to speak at the united nations climate summit


Ladies and gentleman, leaders of the world, normal human beings, it’s time to act. Our world is calling for us. We must come together and take action. We are called here to come up with plans to react. We are the terrorist in this situation, lets obey our call to action before we are all gone.  


Angela Merkel Climate Change from Ellie Kreidie on Vimeo.

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Hanna Dunakin in World History - Block - C on

​In this unit in World History we discussed about the global issue of climate change. We read many articles and heard about many opinions concerning the issue, and even talked about our own opinions toward climate change. We learned about protests concerning this issue, and even read stories about how climate change is affecting people all around the world. All the characters in my monologues have the same opinion, climate change is bad and something needs to be done, but they all have different perspectives. There's a scientist whose opinion is ignored, a boy whose home was destroyed by a hurricane and flood, and a bird who lives next to a factory. I wanted to show how people think differently in different situations, yet still share the same general idea, that climate change is bad.



Monologue #1:

The Scientist


(The scientist arrives to his home from a meeting in the White House. The year is 2012.)


What do they mean they help the world by created this XL pipeline. They’re ruining the environment, they could kill people. Okay, yes this would create lots of jobs, but people could die making this pipeline and many people will lose their jobs because once the pipeline is finished, it will be doing their work for them. And what if one day there’s a leak in the pipeline, what then? It could happen, and I warned them. 7 billion dollars, why even waste that much money on something that might not even work, stupidity that’s what it is. Use those 7 billion dollars for something that will help your country, the environment. “We’re only considering this plan, we haven’t agreed to it yet” CONSIDERING! They called me to ask for my scientific opinion and I gave it to them loud and clear...maybe a little too loud. Use that money to help for the climate change issues, that’s what I would do. I mean not just the issue of climate change, but the millions of people who have been affected from it. This year, more than 31.7 million people had to leave their homes because of severe floods and storms. Help those families, you have shelter, they don’t. There have been so many hurricanes these days, now I’m not saying that climate change is affecting hurricanes, but when I gathered with some other scientists the other day, we saw a trend. All this talk is making me hungry.

(He pours himself a bowl of cereal and milk).

Then they have the freakin guts to ask me why do I even think climate change could be affecting hurricanes. So I started to explain the basics of how a hurricane works, and of course I explain it like they’re little kids, because that’s what they seemed like, huh, they should leave me to the science, I’ll leave them to the politics, it’s not like they’re doing a good job. Anyway, I explained to them that a hurricane is like a engine, smart right. The temperature between the sea and the air above it is like the fuel for the engine, and the warm air near the surface of the sea, rises to the cold air above it. Once a little bit of the warm air goes up to the cold air, more and more of that warm air begins to go up. That warm air condenses creating clouds that produces and releases warm heat that makes the hurricane process go even quicker. As more of that warm air goes up, the earth since it rotates, helps the mixed cold air and warm air move around, and then everything starts to spin. The warmer the sea, the warmer the air above it gets, and the difference between the cold air and the warm air is bigger, making the hurricane bigger, and then BOOM, they interrupt me. They asked me to explain what I mean. I needed to explain the hurricane process to them for them to understand me. I've been a scientist for 19 years, and never has my work and research, not even my opinions and facts been second guessed, none the less, by people who don’t understand science.

(Takes a bite of his cereal)

I tried to explain to them after the interruption, that we can help with climate change, and agreeing to this pipeline isn't going to help. I told them there are two climate change threats, one is created by human vulnerability to dangerous weather, and the other by human actions. And then POW, they interrupt me again (speaks in a deeper voice trying to sound like the government), “That’s not a fact, it’s your opinion, and we only asked for your opinion on the pipeline, nothing else.” I try to explain to them that humans are the reason for most of this climate change and that most of it could be prevented. And just like that, they kick me out, saying that I’m useless, and I better get my mind straight when I come in for work tomorrow. The only reason I’m going to work tomorrow is because they pay me darn good money.

(Door to his house open).

Hi honey was your day better than mine?


Monologue #2:

The Lost Boy


(A red cross disaster shelter)


Hey mom. I was wondering if I could leave this place and go for a walk outside. I can’t stand it in here, there are too many people, and it smells like dirty old socks because nobody could save any of their things after the...the… incident. I know I’m over reacting, but it’s true, this shelter isn't our home, and I miss home. I just need some fresh air and a walk to clear up my mind. Please! Mom! Please?! Thank you! It’ll be quick, I PROMISE. Bye, I love you too. (Opens door).

Ahhh, it’s nice to be able to breathe, I've been in there for weeks. (A box a couple feet from the boy starts moving) What’s that?! (Lifts box and finds a dog under it) Oh, haha, did you get stuck there buddy. It’s okay, I’ll keep you safe. If you lived with me before, you wouldn't have been safe you know. Hey, you know what? My mom told me that I should probably talk to someone about what’s happened to me, about the incident. She was never specific on who I should talk to, so I’ll talk to you, and you don’t seem to be running away from me, so I know you’ll be listening.

My old home was destroyed by a stupid hurricane. I don’t even have a new home, not yet at least. I have nothing left either. I wish I were like you, you don’t have to wear clothes. I have three pairs of clothes, I've been wearing this pair for six days now, and I have no clean underwear left. You know, it’s only me and my mom. I’m an only child, and my dad was never found after the hurricane. There was a flood too, which is why we haven’t gone back yet to go through our… well it’s not a home anymore, so I guess I could say… uhhhhh….. property? Yeah yeah that’s a good word to use, property. I've never had a dog before. My parents always told me it was a lot of work, but you’re a good dog, you’re a good boy! (The boy rubs the dogs stomach)

I want people to understand that even though climate change is bad, for example hurricanes, the results of it are equally as bad. They've never been affected by it, and they say the government doesn't do anything about it. Well guess what, they don’t do anything either. All they do is march up and down streets, yelling and screaming hoping that their actions and demands will get them what they want. It makes them seem like spoiled brats. You know what buddy, after college, I’m going to start my own organization. One that raises money for the people affected by disasters, or any type of climate change. I’m going to organize marches, but ones that have meaning. We’re going to march until something is done. Yeah that’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to change the world, I’m going to change peoples lives!

Anyway back to the disaster. My mom and I were hiding in our attic, my dad wasn't with us though because when we went up to the attic, we heard a woman scream. My dad decided to go see what was the matter. He said he’d be right back… he promised… he promised (Tears start coming down the boys face). My parents prepared for the hurricane for days. They brought blankets and clothes and food up to the attic, so my mom and I stayed up there for three days, until we heard our neighbor outside our house. The blinds were closed the entire time, so we never knew what it really looked like outside. The water was right under the window of the attic. How crazy is that?! Our neighbor said that we wouldn't get help for two more days because of all the damage, there was no way to get to us. He had a canoe, and told us he was leaving to stay somewhere more safe out of the city where there was no damage and that we should tag along. We weren't allowed to take too much, or the canoe would sink. Heh my dad always told me that you can never take too much, guess my dad wasn't the brightest man (Boy looks down to the ground, then back to the dog).

Are you really listening? (Dog barks) Haha. I still don’t understand though. The weather was beautiful all week before the hurricane, and it’s like it came out of no where. Some of the houses on my street were just gone, destroyed, disappeared… gone. I’m going to call you Buddy, because right now, you’re my friend, you and my mom are all I have left. You know, I haven’t talked to anyone about the incident, not even my mom. We try to talk about anything but that, because talking about just reminds us of all we have lost. Oh, that’s my mom. C’mon Buddy, my mom’s calling me and I want you to meet her. You must be hungry, c’mon boy! (The dark barks and follows boy).



Monologue #3:

Life in a Dark Hole


(Two birds sitting on a tree branch next to a factory)


Hey Jack, do you want to move. The smoke is making me sick. I know if we move we’ll fly right into the smoke, I’m not stupid. What I’m saying is that we’d be around less smoke on the other side of the factory. I know mom is not here, I can see that. Not being able to fly shouldn't be an excuse Jack. Mom doesn't have to teach us how to fly, how hard can it be. Just flap your wings up and down, and BOOM, you fly. No, I’m not going to go first, you try first! It was my idea to go to a more comfortable place, so that means you go first. What do you mean it’s not a good excuse, it’s a great excuse. Look, the reason mom leaves so much and so far is because the worms and bugs are all gone and dead here because of all the bad chemicals this thing produces in the air and ground. Don’t you want to finally be able to eat well, and fly yourself to any place you want. I want to be free and not stuck here, especially with a whiny bird. It’s hard to tweet when we’re here because when I open my beak, all the smoke goes into my tiny body. Smoke surrounds us 24/7. I don’t even know why mom decided to lay the eggs here. What do you mean she was in a hurry. Ugh, sometimes it’s difficult to talk to you, did you know that. Of course you didn't.

We need to get out of here, not just for ourselves, but for other animals. Remember last week, we saw those two squirrels come under the fence and up this tree? Do you remember what happened to them Jack? They suffocated! That smoke killed them. Either there’s too much, or there’s something in that smoke that is dangerous, who knows, it could be both those things. It’s a miracle we’re still alive! All the animals have to be warned to not come near this area. Think of it, we’d be heroes for saving so many lives! Heroes!

Okay how about this. We can either die because of the smoke, or trying to go to safety. No Jack, that was great reasoning! We’ll come back for mom, don’t worry. It’s time for us to start a life where the sun shines bright and the sky isn't dark. We need a break from this dark hole, and how do you know that you can’t fly if you haven’t tried yet. Please Jack! Think of it like this. When mom sees that we taught ourselves to fly, she’d be so proud of us and you’ll still be mommy’s little bird, don’t worry. You’ll do it? Yes! Fine I’ll do it on your condition, together.  Ready, on three. One, two, three….


Below is a video of my third monologue, "Life in a Dark Hole".



Monologue #3: Life in a Dark Hole from Hanna Dunakin on Vimeo.

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Alexander Tristano in World History - Block - C on

In our World History class this unit we have been learning about the how unfair the world is in terms of education, and wealth or poverty. We followed that up with learning how different some culture seem especially the Nacirema. It was certainly weird to think of ourselves as different, but we learned not to immediately judge other cultures because the seem different. We then were assigned to make a meme that educates people about the pressing problems all over the world. Now we are finishing this unit off by learning about how climate change is effecting people, places, families and villages all around the world. We were assigned the task of making monologues about climate change and how they are affect the earth and effecting people. While writing these monologues are main goal, as a class was to inform people of the devastating catastrophe that climate change and global warming has on families all over the world. My goals for writing these three monologues was to enlighten people on the different views and arguments on climate change and why some people are not rushing to save the our planet.

[Eric Schmidt the chairman of google in an interview with Diane Rehm]


Thank you for having me on the your show Ms. Rehm, I really appreciate it. (WAIT FOR HER RESPONSE) Well as I am sure you are aware, climate change and global warming are both quite problematic at this day and age. We here at google are certainly aware of how this is an issue and how it is affecting children and adults and families around the world. Everybody understands that climate change is an issue, (THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID) well most everyone is aware, and we here at google also understand that climate change isn’t something that can go away. If we want it to not be a problem we have to do something, which is why we here at google feel that we need to do our part to try and prevent climate change from becoming more of an issue. We also know that many other people feel the same way and people are in fact trying to do something about it which is great and we are all for that. (SHE ASKS A QUESTION) Ahh yes the big controversy in Partnering with the ALEC corporation. Just quickly, for those who don’t know What ALEC stands for, they are the American Legislative Executive Council. You asked me about partnering with ALEC and the controversy that arose due to climate change. To answer that question, I say this.

The reason we originally partnered with ALEC was for a political campaign for something totally unrelated to climate change, something that happen a long time ago. (PAUSE) When we realized how much of an issue climate change really was we decided to cut funds with ALEC. It turns out that partnering with ALEC was not a good idea. They are what people would call climate deniers, they do not believe that climate change is an issue. They don’t believe that it will ever be an issue, and they are not worried at all. It doesn’t make sense, but that is just the way they think. We do not agree with ALEC. We do not agree with their thinking, and we, just like anyone else, would not be happy to be associated with a company like ALEC. This is why we will not be partnering with them anymore.

We realize our mistake in partnering with them and we are very ashamed of ourselves, but we know now what not to do. Everyone makes mistakes, but the biggest mistake is not learning from what you did wrong. We now know what to do and what not to do and because we want to prevent climate change, and because we know it’s a problem, we will do the best we can and we will do our part to prevent what is happening.




[Jasper Pannini an average person ranting about the news on climate change]


God climate change is getting worse. (PAUSE) Everyone says they care but no one actually cares. I mean if they did we’d already be on our feet racing to solve the problem, like first one to put an end to climate change wins something, (PAUSE) but no, it’s not like that. What frustrates me the most is when people say “climate change is a problem and we need to fix it” but then do nothing, or become more interested in what they call “more important problems.” Yes, climate change does not seem as pressing, as problematic, or as important, as your mortgage or you family that you need to take care of, but let me tell you, people are paying with their lives because you are not willing to admit to your mistakes, or not willing to fix them.

When you’re frustrated because you’re stuck in traffic, your car is letting out exhaust which is polluting the air, and killing the environment. So you got to work late and your boss is screaming at you, well on the other side of the world families and homes are being torn apart by hurricanes all because of climate change. (PAUSE) Anyway climate change, is an outrageous issue that we need to take care of, but we’re lazy so we don’t keep in mind the their have been disasters that have killed thousands all around the world because we won’t take care of our earth.

We also like to blame other people for causing global warming, which is another way of being lazy. The government or world leaders get a lot of heat for this problem. This just blows my mind, the stupidity of people who are like “oh climate change isn’t my problem I’ve already done what I need to do, now other people need to do what they can.” What? Obviously not, if there are still disasters all over the world, you still need to do your part to prevent these from happening. Everybody needs to pitch in, and everyone needs to stop being lazy. Everyone needs stop blaming other people for climate change, and everyone most importantly needs to stop talking about how much of a problem this is, and start doing something about it.




[Paul Weyrich founder of ALEC taking stand by saying climate change isn’t an issue]


Okay. Hold on just a minute. Yes climate change is an issue, yes our ozone layer is getting thinner. Yes this causes more heat from the sun to get trapped in our solar system or causes our atmospheir to be vulnerable. Yes this causes storms, floods, and heat waves, (PAUSE) but I mean honestly is this what I should be worried about all the time. (PAUSE) Should I really be losing sleep over this issue. (PAUSE) I mean I have other things to worry about. I have to worry about my health and well being, I have to worry about my family’s health and well being and I have to worry about my job. I have to make sure that our organisation doesn’t collapse into shambles and I have to make sure they are all healthy and capable to do what they need to do, and I need to make sure I can meet my goals and expectations. So with all that in mind, I feel as if climate change is not an issue. It’s not affecting me, or the people that are important to me, and on top of that we are all fine and healthy, so I think it is pointless to worry about something that seems so invisible or so far away.

Secondly, we are not even sure if climate change is an issue or not. There is still much debate on whether this is a catastrophe or whether this is just a natural phenomenon. A natural phenomenon for those who don’t know is something that happens naturally kind of like the ice age. It is something that was bound to happen anyway and it will eventually go away. If it is a natural phenomenon, it just going to happen and we might get over it or we might not survive, but either way, there is nothing we can do.

Finally, we here at ALEC are all for trying to create better ways to live and be happy, but when something just costs to much and if don’t get the money or the outcome we deserved for the amount of money, work, and effort we put in we are not huge fans of that. We want to do what is best for us and others for a good deal and for a good outcome. Helping the world prevent climate change is an expense for us and for others. It is just not pleasant for anyone, and while we would love to help, it does not exactly seem plausible or probable.

Lets Stop Climate Change from alex tristano on Vimeo.

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Ian Fay in World History - Block - C on

    In this unit we talked about Climate change as the next big global crisis. We read articles and saw videos about how we directly affect this issue through the choices we have made. My monologues show three different people who are willing to take action against this crisis that threatens their future. 

(A environmental scientist looks onto the construction of the of the Keystone XL Pipeline. He is devastated and slightly angry to see his homeland become industrialized by the line. He decides to approach the pipeline and talks to one of the workers).


The pipeline


Hey, you… yes, you! Who else would I be talking to? Now get your lazy self over here, now! Could you tell me what this is?... Keystone XL Pipeline… okay. Being an enviromental scientist, I could write a novels on why that’s terrible but, ways of getting power are scarce so continue please… I see. And who might be . Ugh, I’m sorry but, how are your lungs not rotting right now. That oil is so freaking crude! I feel like my lungs are decaying right now!... Oh you’re sorry for the inconvenience? You treat this like you just stepped on my foot. Do you not know the gravity of this situation?! I live about two or three miles away from here. I know families of people who live in this area, families with children mind you. If this is built and begins to be operated, then they could be killed by the carbon intake in a few years at least. The only possible way to apologize is to get this sh-(interrupted) do NOT interrupt me, I hate it when people interrupt me! Ugh. Where is the oil coming from anyway? The Canadian Tar Sands... It’s going up to Canada all the way down to Houston?! Okay that’s all I can take thank you for your time sir… Where am I going? Going to spread the word about this mess… The Tar Sands don’t contain just any oil. I did a study up there one time. Tar sands oil is heavier, more carbon-intensive, and more corrosive than any other oil. If I had to describe it one thought, then I would say it would be like pumping spider venom throughout all of the U.S.. I would have let this be but, between that poison that your going to be pumping through this rig and the fact that it’s spanning across the entire nation is just ludicrously terrible. Climate change is bad enough as it is but, if this thing is built then we might as well hang ourselves now. And I guarantee you right now, when I come back I won’t be alone. More people who share my opinion will join me and we’ll tear this thing down… Not your problem hunh? How about when I spread the word about this mess, people begin to act and speak out against this thing and the outrage grows like a wildfire. Will it then be your problem.








Agent of Change


(A boy decides to walk through a park after returning home from school. He sits down on a bench and reflects on the previous events of the day)


    Well, that went unbelievably bad. Went to school, discussed the horrible crisis of climate change, and then I am blessed with the knowledge that I can lend a helping hand to preserve the Earth so I do not have to see it go to hell when I grow up. This chance being the gigantic climate change march that takes place a few days before the United Nations’ climate change summit. Then I bring this up to my father so I can seek his approval and what do I get? A whole half an hour lecture about how climate change is just ¨propaganda for the media stations to feed off of¨. He then says ¨Stop worrying about problems that have nothing to do with you!¨ I cannot believe what he said at that moment. All of the morale and excitement inside of me was flickering uncontrollably like a candle’s flame but, then immediately extinguished like one. Stop worrying about problems that have nothing to do ewith me? Is he dense? I had discussed today that the carbon dioxide we put in the air covers the Earth in a very thick and invisible blanket that traps heat inside of the atmosphere along with us. This creates problems that can be catastrophic and even apocalyptic. Ice caps melting, sea levels rising, massive human displacement, extinctions, and possibly an Ice Age. This can lead everything on this planet into a dramatically ironic end of our world. Humans killing the very thing that they inhabit and the Earth paying it back with the same deed.(He stands up) You know what, I just go anyway. I would have asked him to come with me but, since it seems as if he does not care for the future of our home, our family, and more insulting, me I won’t bother. All of those changes are going to happen when I reach 40 or 50 years old and if I have children, then they will see the slow and drawn-out desolation of their own planet. I will not stand by and allow myself to be subjected to that fate. I will stand up along with the tens of thousands in New York in 10 days time and become an agent of change and save our Earth and only then will I rest easily.












Saño


(November 8th, 2013; The Filipino Climate Change Negotiator, Nadarev ¨Yeb¨ Saño, sits in his office one week after Typhoon Haiyan passed over the Philippines).


   15 million affected, 4 million of which displaced. 6,000 of which are fatalities as well as another thousand reported missing. These were the effects of Typhoon Haiyan. It has been only a little while since our last storm Bopha which had happened over a year ago but, this had double its strength.However, this does have some positive effects. I now see this as a wake-up call to the whole world to realize the madness of the climate crisis. Countries like China and the United States have done absolutely nothing to stop this crisis as of yet. This baffles me especially when the U.S. experiences extreme tropical storms as well, some rivalling the power of even our typhoons. It is almost as if they have no sense consequence in this situation. This angers me immensely. I wish I could make any American witness the horrors that I and all of my fellow citizens have experienced. Only then would they understand the gravity of this situation. I am very fortunate however. Soon the United Nations shall come together and discuss the climate crisis. That will be my chance to show everyone in the world our next and most challenging task for humanity. (sighs) I still fear for the Earth. Because of the Greenhouse Effect bouncing heat around our atmosphere, water is evaporating quicker. Convection then allows those heated water molecules to rise up into the atmosphere. This not only makes storms more intense but, more frequent. This means that the next storm probably isn’t that far behind. This is the most difficult task humanity has ever had. In the next coming years we must act on the knowledge we have about how we affect this world. It will be up to us to choose our planet or our end.


Below are the videos for my second monologue

IMG 1298 from Ian Fay on Vimeo.

IMG 1298 (1) from Ian Fay on Vimeo.

IMG 1298 (2) from Ian Fay on Vimeo.

Brandon's Monologue Project

Posted by Brandon Jones in World History - Block - C on

​

In this unit of World History, we learned about climate change. We read and talked about countries all over the world who are affected by climate change. My goals throughout the project were to portray different peoples opinions and thoughts on climate change, whatever they may be. I wanted to portray the thoughts of a timid business man, a successful company owner and an environmental activist.

Ichabod Cheeks

(To peers)Umm, yes.. my name is Ichabod Cheeks. I am a succesfu.. no an average business man. I...I think that with...with the help of our government we can put an end to global warming! I mean if that is okay with everyone. Not to step on anyones toes or anything. Well, maybe they need to be stepped on!.....Or maybe not! Heh Heh. Actually, no this is an important issue! I am tired of our government constantly lying to our faces. It doesn’t take a man from Fresno to see that! Even stevie wonder could see that. It is appalling that our so called leaders are not doing what they need to to correct this impending issue. They are carelessly wasting money on irrelevant things for no reason at all.(Pause)They even spent 750 thousand dollars on a soccer field for inmates at guantanamo bay! Yet the US complains about not having funding for schools. But what do I know? I am just a lowly man who has an opinion. Even though my opinion won’t be heard. But I won’t be ignored! I will do whatever it takes to make my voice heard! Never again will my opinion be neglected. I’m sick of people constantly taking me for granite. Well, will they not listen to me when their whole words are turned upside down?(Pause)Not again will we not help a country who will suffer at the hands of a hurricane! They will hear my voice and the will feel our wrath. The people's wrath!

Florida Stevens(Video)

Your Honor, Jury, climate change is more fuss than harm! Sure there have been natural disasters and thats sad and all, but I don’t believe it’s reason enough that I’m in court before all of you now.(Pause) Yes I know my company is a big fossil fuel burner. I don’t see why that has to do with anything. (Pause) So what if a few people get hurt in a natural disaster. That’s not our problem! They need to toughen up and strive instead of babying about a small amount of property damage.(Pause) What do you mean I am out of order? We aren’t the ones suffering because of a little rain.(Court banter, Judge calms everyone down) Pfff...order in the court, you wouldn’t know order if it hit you like a tsunami. At this rate, your honor, I do not have time for this. For some reason, you can’t get it through your thick skulls, that climate change isn’t that deep of an issue! You’re a pack of fools! Every last one of you!(Pause) I’m being sued for how much?
But...but why? You are blowing this way out of proportion! Please, I’m begging you! Don’t do this!
I was just trying to own a business and now I’m being sued for it?

Jermaine Flowers

(To the crowd) Hello! My name is Jermanie Flowers and welcome to the 3rd annual San Diego Envo-Con.(Crowd cheers, Jermaine guides the crowds attention back to him) Yes, I know all of you are as excited as me but we should all give thanks and pause to our dear mother nature(Pauses for moment of silence) Alrighty then! Our first order of business is to go to congress! We need them to pass a bill to incriminate everyone negligent on climate change. And if they refuse, we will unleash our master plan!(Crowd gasps in anticipation) We will block all traffic in San Diego, New York and Washington DC!(Crowd cheers) Then congress will have to pay attention to us. We’ll see then how they like it when they can’t get to their jobs. Then they won’t be able to burn anymore of those horrible gasses into our precious air! All hail mother Nature!(Crowd cheers)


Monologue 2 video


Untitled from Brandon Jones on Vimeo.

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Quinn Grzywinski in World History - Block - C on

This unit in history we've talked about a lot of different things, such as the distribution of wealth and food throughout the world, education principles and statuses around the world,  and recently, the topic of climate change. In vain of this, we've been assigned the project I'll be posting below. We had to write three "monologues" from three different people's points of view. Who they were and what they stood for on the topic of climate change was up to us, the only requirement being that it had to be at least 250 words long. We could have written from the P.O.V of a powerful political figure as he dressed his people, as a young child in the aftermath of a natural disaster caused by climate change, or even something supernatural like the ocean's view on things or a cat. The video below is the first monologue in video form, because just had to be a requirement.  

First Impact -The London Smog

Dear Jonathan,

Perhaps asking how you are doing might be a little horribly ironic under the present circumstances, but I it is necessary to ask, because I need to know that everyone is OK. I have already sent a letter to Daniel, with no response, so I need to ask, so once you get this letter, please send me a response immediately. Please let me know that you’re fine, because right now not only am I scared for you, and Daniel, and Mama and Pop, I’m scared for myself, and this entire city.

I’m not entirely sure when this smog rolled in. I awoke on the 5th like any other day, and how I reacted to what I saw outside the window, I imagine was similar to yours. Do you remember that smog in 1892 when the three of us were boys, the one that blanketed the streets so completely that you could hardly see the other side of the street? You remember, Mom boarded up the windows and we nearly lost Daniel on the way to school? We had to give on that though, it was too hard to see, and we couldn’t even stop for sweets on the way home because “Donielli’s” was closed.

This isn’t like that smog though. This is so much more thick and choking, when I stepped outside to go to work this morning I couldn't even see the street in front me, and I nearly got run over by a damn cab. I didn't try much after that to go to work, not like I’m that eager anyway, especially after the recent lay-offs….

You hear what the people on the radio are saying? This smog is killing people, they’re just lying in the streets. Not that I’d be able to see them until I tripped over them in the streets, but when you see these shapes in the fog, you aren’t able to tell whether it’s a bench or body... I’ve been coughing up blood since I went outside on the 5th, and my lungs feel like gravel, so if you’re thinking of going outside, just don’t, and don’t let Mary or little Emily move either. Just stay inside, please, and reply when you get this letter, if you d assuming I can find the mailbox in this damn fog.


-Sincerly, Taylor

London, December 6th, 1952






Second Impact -Nyos “Volcano”

Journal Entry 12#

Lake Nyos Disaster Investigation

Dr. Geitnier Armistead

September 3, 1987

Arriving on the scene now about a year ago, as I may have made the prominent focus view of my last entry, was a day that rendered me perturbed and perhaps, for the first time in my scientific career, positively dumbfounded. But that day was rather exciting as well, because I had a chance as a scientist to discover the secrets behind one of the strangest disasters of recent memory, one that will be warning sign for the future, and a a sort of foreboding landmark when looked back on decades from now. As you can imagine, every country aware of the impending situation has sent their “best” scientists, and during those first few days, as I recapped in my first journal ,we needed to find out what mysterious anomaly had killed nearly 1,800 people in the village of Nyos, Cameroon, practically overnight, and vanished without a trace. There wasn’t much to go on, the victims had all apparently fell and over and died for all intensive purposes, with no head trauma or bleeding found, but our major clue was that the number of fatalities seemed to be larger around Lake Nyos, a lake that the inhabitants of the surrounding area seem to think holds some, supernatural power of spirits or ghosts(which is of course is porposterous) . Now, over the course of this past year, we have finally solved this mystery, and in this journal, I wil take all the data we have found and form a hypothesis. The first clue to go on was upon testing the waters of this lake, we found some interesting discoveries. It appears the lake holds an abnormal amount of CO2, levels that only climbed steadily higher, only to quite literally off the charts and burst our test tubes once the depth of the lake reached 600ft. Now of course, all lakes contain some amounts of CO2, that is unavoidable considering the amount now in the atmosphere, but water is usually able to churn out the gas due to constant movement of waves, but in Lake Nyos’s case, it is almost the stillest in the entire world, due to several variables like the hills surrounding it and Cameroon’s consistently painfully hot weather. This allows the CO2 to accumulate and when triggered with a catalyst which could be as something as small as a tree falling into the lake or a landslide, releases all that decade-worth of CO2 in one moment, and, well, you can imagine the rest… Some of the other French scientists are discussing with the Americans whether we can harness this CO2 for other purposes, but I’m personally going to be moving out soon enough. Let them do what they will with all this extra gas.





Third Impact - The Disaster

“Hello world leaders of this summit, I am Hamza Jensen, representative from His Majesty of Belgium, who hasn’t had any dealing with the issue of climate change in the past but in light of… recent events, has sent me in his place. His Majesty firmly believes that any world leader available to attend this summit with knowledge of how this past week has come to pass, absolutely should, if nothing but for sending their deepest, most sincere condolences for the people of Australia, Chile, and Finland and the other countries who have been affected. With this in mind, His Majesty would like to thank President Gavino Acciaio of Italy for volunteering his country at such short notice for the location of this summit, and I would personally like to thank President Johnson for that powerful speech only moments ago. I won’t be talking too long, since I know the president of Ireland wishes to speak about a potential disaster relief plan that could start to undo the damage of something this global and grave, but His Majesty… and I, have a few things we must talk about. Nothing will be held back, if the last week as taught us anything, the time of civil and polite little conversation around a table is truly over, and action is the only course to take in order to now potentially save our countries and planet. I will be as critical as I need to be....

What must be talked about first is our own blindness. Climate change has been a world issue for many, many decades, not even discreetly so. The signs have been there for a long time, the London Smog of 1952, the Lake Nyos disaster in 1987, the several hurricanes in the Philippines and other countries from 2014 to 2016. Yet despite all this, no real action has been taken by any of us. Perhaps it was always a distant threat, a thing that would happen in the future, not important when compared with what ever present problems our countries were facing, whether it be petty war, a faulty economy, or recovering from natural disaster that were usually a direct byproduct of climate change. Well, I hope we can agree it isn’t anywhere close to being distant anymore. The death tolls of this disaster are still being calculated around the world, but currently we are close to passing the seven and a half million mark, but no, that’s not all, since the number are still coming in, I’ve been told we might be adding a third of that number by the end of the month… Excuse me… It’s important to remember that I… His Majesty isn’t going to blame any particular person, or even faction or country. The responsibility of causing this disaster is on all of our shoulders, whether it be because you were directly responsible for polluting and taking the planet for granted, or simply yelling from across the planet for them to stop but not actually doing anything…

I remember back in 2019 when we held a similar summit about addressing the increasingly dire problems caused by climate change. You were there President Acciaio, and you Emperor Jinjo, and I’m sure you remember that we sat around the same table for two days, but without the motivation of millions of people’s lives on the line, we agreed on absolutely nothing. We were all focusing on our own selfish goals, and not concentrating on the very real threats, that we ultimately overlook.

And now I’m tired of disagreements and stupid politicians and lack of action, by everyone, including His Majesty. I fully realize I’m probably going to be fired after this because of my outbursts, but I hope that from this terrible, terrible day, we can all at least learn from this incident. No. We need to learn from this. The world is changed forever, and I don’t think I’ll be able to stand it if the world continues on like nothing has happened. Thank you. You’re up Prime Minister.


Monologue 1#(Video)



WIN 20141005 122530 from Quinn Grzywinski on Vimeo.

Climate Change Monologue

Posted by Indee Phillpotts in World History - Block - C on

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)


20141003_100645.mp4 from Indee Phillpotts on Vimeo.

Climate Change Monologue Project

Posted by Kai Burton in World History - Block - C on


This unit in world history we talked about climate change. In class we discussed the New York climate march and it’s impact on the global movement. The point of the march was to bring more attention to climate change. We also talked about people who had no interest in helping to improve climate change. For the unit project we were assigned to write monologues from three different points of view. The people you chose to write from could be for climate change, against climate change, real people, or a character you made up. I chose to write from the perspective of Bill Nye, a working Canadian man, and an African American father. All three of these people have different stories of how climate change has affected them and how they choose to help or not help.


Monologue #1

Bill Nye

[A scientist addressing kids on climate change in 2014. Bill Nye starts off on center stage in the background there is a fun lab table.]

Bobby Learns A Lesson


Hey kids, welcome back to a special reunion of Bill Nye the science guy with me Bill Nye!! (kids clap) This episode kids we’re going to talk about climate change. It is very important that everyone pays attention because this is a very special episode. Can someone tell me what climate change is?… very close John good guess but an interesting factoid is that climate change is not just when the world gets hotter it can also be when places get colder, or have really big storms, or no rain at all. The full definition of climate change is a change in global or regional climate patterns. In fact that’s just what we’re talking about today three different people from all over the world who have been affected by climate change in one way or another. The first place we’ll be visiting is a man from our northern neighbors in Canad (Bobby interrupts) yes Bobby? Well here’s the thing Bobby we may not always feel it, but believe it or not the climate around us has been changing and we are here to stop it! (Bobby interrupts) This planet is at the top of our to take care of to do list because young one without the earth we wouldn’t have anywhere to live. Now to continue we are going to meet Gary fro (Bobby interrupts) See now it’s not nice to interrupt people Bobby but what’s your question (Bobby interrupts) I know that the sun is warm and you like to play in it, but our fun comes at a price. It may be sunny in here but in other parts of the world people are dying and need our help to protect them. The only way we can do that is to make the world a healthier place. You want to live in a healthy happy place don’t you Bobby (Bobby replies) that’s why today we’re going to talk about climate change ALL over the world (Bobby replies) Around the world many people are like you they don’t know what to believe and they think that we have more important things to pay attention to. Even though climate change won't do anything really bad for many many years we want the people of the future to have a safe planet to call home (Bobby replies) Exactly Bobby, there is so much more to climate change, and now you can go home and tell your friends and family to protect and preserve the earth. Alrighty now so lets move on and do some fun weather experiments.


Monologue #2

Sylvester Burton

[A middle aged man who has lost faith in the effects of climate change. He’s in his house talking to his daughter. She has just heard a lecture on the coming effects of climate change]


Bring the Community Together


No no no that’s not what I said. I know that climate change is something that’s affecting our world, I don’t deny that. All I’m saying is that the earth has gone through so many changes and fixed itself. Take the ice age, the world froze over in ice and then melted itself and no one is completely sure why (daughter interrupts) I get that a sheet of ice isn’t the same thing as us destroying the ozone but you have to consider… Yeah pop pop did die from black lung disease due to air pollution what’s that have to do with anything? Anyway, the air pollution is dangerous yes but we wont feel the effects of that for years. You know when I was in school about thirty years ago, teachers always said that Delaware was going to be in the ocean. Something about our pollution was going to cause the water to rise, then most of the middle of the east coast was going to sink. They always rambled on and on about how bad climate change was getting but then nothing ever happened.

Coming from a small black neighborhood people would get worried. Everyone would be all riled up waiting for Philly to fall straight into the river. That’s another thing, why don’t you educate people before you start saying that we’re going to end up like freaking Atlantis. Black people start getting all worried and don’t even have all the information. People get ready to move to outer space… My whole thing is that if scientist really believe in this stuff they’ll do three things: educate the people, rally the people for change, and eliminate the problem. The three keys to success. Leaders never realize that black communities know how to stay together. If they took enough time to listen to their opinion, there would be a new group of allies that would be squad deep. Black communities want to be involved just like the rest of the world. If you isolate them they’ll just add to the problem. They’ll continue to pollute or litter and that’s another problem in of itself. So before you start telling people what they have to do, explain. All anybody ever wants to do is understand.



Monologue #3

Gary Knope

[Gary is in a courtroom on the witness stand]



The Confession


I did it okay, I confess! I don’t know why we’re here, please cuff me. Throw me in a cold hard cell with no windows, I don’t deserve to see the light… No I will not calm down, I will not be quite, and I will not move! I killed my wife okay, I take sole responsibility… Maybe I wasn’t the one who got her sick but I might as well have pulled the trigger, you know if there was a gun… Fine I’ll tell you what happened from the beginning. About 10 months ago me and by wife were blessed with having a child. And this was really a miracle you know (get’s excited then quites down). Our own little baby, we couldn’t have been happier! But you know with all little miracles a new burden comes. You know what I’m saying, the almighty dollar shows mercy to no one, am I right? (chuckles). Anyway I knew I had to get a better job, cleaning up a the local high school wasn’t going to do it. Then lucky me, an opportunity presents itself. Trans Canada was going door to door in my neighborhood and handing out jobs. They said they needed help on this Keystone thing. Pretty steady gig, said it would last about a year and a half, and the pay was good so I thought you know what the hell. The first couple of months it was going pretty well, I caught the bus into Toronto everyday, got paid once a week and my wife… well she was doing great (heavy sigh.) So about 8 months into the job, when my wife was nearing the end of the pregnancy, we went to the gyno… And that’s when she said that everything with the baby was fine but my wife was... she was a little shaky. So doc put her on some antibiotics before the delivery. That’s when she got worse. Every week she was sick.. it seemed like just a cold but I could tell it was something more. Then we found ourselves back at the doctors office days before her scheduled due date. This time, (chuckles) yeah.. the news wasn’t so great. She said that my wife should go in for a ct scan because something was happening in her lungs. Obviously that wasn’t possible because of the baby and all but she said that a ultrasound will give us some information as to what was going on; even if it didn’t show all the details. So we got the ultrasound and from what the radiologist could see there was build up on her lungs… Then she um said that it could be black lung disease. I have been bringing home silica dust from the site and she was breathing it in… thank god my baby was okay. But they said they’d have to do a c section on the baby before any harm got to her. Then after my wife got stronger they would try to fight this… but um she died while having the baby (crying). After that my in-laws  insisted on suing Trans Canada but they should really be trying to send me away. I killed the only thing I had to live for. My daughter has to be under the care of her grandparents in the states where my wife was from. They said I have to find a new place to live and new employment before I can bring her back home but I, I just don’t know what to do. So throw me in jail I have nothing left.


20141003_100355.mp4 from Kai Burton on Vimeo.

WRLDHIST-020

Term
2014-15

Other Websites

Launch Canvas

Blog Tags

Teacher