What can individuals do to combat climate change… and How can we encourage people to take these actions ? By Luca Wermelinger

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It is really hard to make people change their habits because in many cases people prefer to take their own car to go to work because it is more comfortable than taking the bus. They are on their own, they are not reliant on the bus’ schedule.

So we might find out ways to change their habits by little steps, not radical ways like forcing them to take the bus for example.

Regarding transport the government could subsidise public transport more than nowadays, so that tickets are cheaper or even free. One of the problems which might occur is that the buses could be overcrowded then. However it would be a great progress in the fight against climate change.

But the problem isn’t just with car journeys but also flights. For short-haul flights the price should be much more expensive than by train. People might think it is worth taking the plane instead of taking the train for short distances even if it is more expensive just because it is faster and more comfortable. Indeed, when you’re taking the plane you don’t have to carry on your luggage, you know it is in a safe place.

Although I think that people are  less concerned with their comfort than saving money when there is a huge difference in the prices. After all, I think that the government should introduce an obligation for airline companies to increase their prices or to decrease train trip prices.

The other aspect of the climate change we are responsible for is our difficulty to sort out our rubbish, and that’s a big problem these days. The solution could be that we have to charge more for the trash bags to make people thoughtful about recycling as we do in Switzerland. Another aspect of it is to get a free access to the recycling centre, so that people are encouraged to sort out their rubbish.  

Moreover a huge topic in the fight against climate change involves steps any person could take to reduce their water consumption. 

I am amazed at the  number of people who have a daily bath. I agree that in some cases it is the only  moment of relaxation in the day but when it is too often it is a disgrace and disrespectful. I mean that a shower is as effective as a bath and uses much less water.

Besides we should establish a prevention morning in every school once a year to make children aware that they should turn off the water while their brushing their teeth as we do in the primary school in Switzerland.

As a conclusion I would say that it is more a matter of education and lifestyle. If you grow up as a respectful child, you will be more aware and concerned about the environment than other children. As it’s my own opinion it won’t work for every situation and it won’t make any big changes in our unforgivable attitude towards climate change.

What Can Individuals Do To Combat Climate Change? By Quentin Bollé

Several individual decisions could be taken in order to fight global warming. Firstly, we should reduce our water consumption, turning the tap off while we are brushing our teeth is a good decision. Many people leave the lights switched on when they go out of a room, as a consequence it uses more energy. That's why we shouldn't forget to switch off the lights. In addition, people should do recycling: organic waste, plastic and glass. It's a relevant means to avoid more consumption of oil for example, elements have in this way a second life. Not to mention, public transport, cycling and walking constitute alternatives to the car, if people choose to avoid the car as much as possible, CO₂ and NO₂ emissions will significantly decrease.

Anyway, we can buy energy efficient cars, why not electric cars?

How Can We Encourage People To Take These Actions?

To get people to be involved, we can impose a fine if they don't follow the new rules, which will be very effective. On the other hand, people who take positive steps to protect the climate will be subsidised by the authorities. Even so, governments may establish televised campaigns in the goal to say realities about climate change, even if some of them don't want to see the situation facing them. But then again, public organisations such as councils, cantons and states have to develop their garbage recycling systems with more gathering-points near people's homes and with logistical facilities.

My time in OISE Adel last post

My time in OISE

I have been studying here since 8^th October 2012. In my first day I found it so difficult to adapt with the school environment because I was just graduated from high school and suddenly I found myself surrounded with new experience. I asked myself “how could I survive here with people from different countries and cultures”. However, I dealt with the situation in short period. The solution was I should have been confident.

I began my course as a lower intermediate student with Adriana. She helped me to improve my language so quickly. She used lots of equipment to assist us to learn. I liked here lessons for two main reasons. First, she smiles all the time. Second, I liked here style of teaching.

If I would start again

if I could begin again I would practise in basic things first and practise step by step until I reach my point.

What to do next

I just finished my main aim (improve my English), which is assist me to begin my second aim. My second aim is to join university. Thanks god I finished and I accepted in Aston University and my course or my new experience will begin in September 2013. 

Farewell Speech-by Jonny Liang

Time usually passes quickly for feeling, especially when you have spent a colorful life and it's the moment to leave there. Unfortunately, I have to say goodbye to all you oisers. Fortunately, I have realized how considerably I do love here.

I still remember when I first came here, I could just understand the accent of two Korean girls Hyejin and Jiyoung but couldn't talk normally with non-Chinese guys. I didn't know the differences between written English and oral English exactly. Also I was not accustomed to speaking a foreign language all the time, which made me overwhelmed in the first two weeks. However, I have gotten myriads of help from OISE. I don't wanna talk how much I have improved, but now English has already become more friendly to me and I'd like to communicate with others by English.

Thanks for all the teachers. Thanks Hannah, who has taught me around 50 percent of the whole classes. You have given me much guidance about grammar, vocabulary collocations and reading skills. Thanks Tony, who has taught me adequate knowledge of idioms and phrases, which are really pragmatic and useful. Thanks Paul, who helps me a lot of preparing for IELTS examination and offers relevant training regularly. Thanks Anna, who is always affable and usually encourages me. Thanks Margaret, who is patient all the time and does me a lot of favours in SAC. Thanks Helen, who is my coach and usually helps me correct mistakes I've made. Thanks Andriana, who is always smiling and supportive in speaking classes. Thanks Jenny, who did lots of assistance in my daily school life. Thanks Gwen, who has found a really comfortable host family for me. Thanks Jo and John, who give me plenty of instructions both in school and outside. All of you dear teachers are not only my teachers, but also the sunshine in my life road.

Farewell, my dear classmates. I have enjoyed a happy life with Ibra, Smiling Heralds, Adeldel, Abdu , Playboy Fabrizio, Herald II , Jiyoung, Hyejin, Aseel, Shoug, and my little Chinese brother Owen and David. I will never forget those days we spent time together in classes and social activities. By the way, thanks Jose for teaching me Spanish. Besides, someone although I had met for just one or Two weeks but have a pleasant time together such as Gab, Fran, Stephan, some French guys, Henry, Emmanuella, Lauren, Clara, Martin, Anne( the difference of our definition to beauty is like the distance from Beijing to Paris). Also many other students, I still have a nice time with all of you. It's my honour to recognise and make friends with you guys, thank you very much!

Finally I didn't get and ideal score of IELTS, but nothing is perfect. The experience from here will be never delible and always memorable. Time and space can't really separate us from each other. In the future, we can also contact with one another. Of course, welcome to China if you have a time and I'm glad to accommodate absolutely. From now on, in less than two hours, I'll be 23 in China time. What a special and unforgettable birthday! I'm gonna invite you my dear teachers and friends to have some Chinese desert and tea. Jonny Liang, is happy to be at your service!

How does social background affect a child's prospects in life- by Jonny Liang

People born in different circumstances have various social backgrounds. Some people argue that social background has a remarkable effect on a child's prospects in life. For instance, wealthy parents, a high social status and a privileged education can dramatically influence a child's future development. In my opinion, I think it should be understood more completely that social background has an impact on a child to a large degree. In the next paragraph I will provide more details.

Firstly, social backgrounds give children their experience. That means, a child grows up in the environment which is determined by his or her social background. Take Bill Gates, the former CEO of Microsoft as an example. He was born into an IT family and his mother was a manager at IBM. Therefore, he had ample opportunity to practice computer programming before he established his company. Furthermore, he received his first order thanks to his mother. Suppose Bill Gates was born into a poor family, he wouldn't have had the chance to be exposed to computing early owning to the prohibitively high price of the hardware at that time so he would not have been able to show his talent when he was a child. Besides, without the influence and support of his mother, he would not have found his clients easily because of the lack of business contacts. In fact, all these factors were given by his social background. There are also many other examples and we can see how they influence a child considerably.

Secondly, social backgrounds give children their knowledge and form their value systems. A perfect student group called Skeleton at Yale University, is a perfect example. All the members come from rich or powerful families. Those young people get together and exchange knowledge regularly. By communicating, they form their own methodology so that their value system will becomes fully established. When they grow up, the majority of them become the elite in different occupations in America.

However, I will not go so far as to say that social background can determine a child's whole life because it is clear that the individual's endeavour is also crucial. We cannot change our social backgrounds when we are children, but we are able to change them when we grow up.

The Languages in Belgium - by Thomas

In Belgium, we have three different languages – we do not have only one official language. Belgium is divided into three parts: in the north of the country we speak Flemish, the same as in the Netherlands, in the south we speak French, the same as in France, and on the east side we speak German, the same as in Germany. Moreover, we have plenty of different dialects for the three languages.

In Europe, no matter which country, we write from the left to the right. French is a “Romance” language, as are Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and Romanian.

German and Flemish are called “Germanic languages”. Germanic languages include Flemish, Dutch, Swedish, Danish etc. In the European alphabet we just have 26 different basic letters.

In Brussels people speak French and Flemish. For the government French people speak French, Flemish people speak Flemish and German people speak German. However in the European Commission, people speak their own languages or English. The road signs are just a little bit different, only when something is written.

Many people say, “I speak French because I live in Wallonie” It's the same with the Flemish people but because they live in Flanders. In Belgium we do not have many bilingual people. I'm not bilingual because I can't speak more than one language very well, even though my mother speaks French and my stepfather speaks Flemish, I would say that French is my mother tongue. 

Revision without stress - by Khaled I

'I am not only the person in this world who has to do it'

Always remember this sentence every time you are going to do something difficult. People face many difficulties in this life; finding a job, a life partner, friends, passing exams or how to deal with them and so on. There is a solution to any problem and we will focus on dealing with exams in two ways; nerves and how difficult is the subject it self, there are many ways to solve these problems as mentioned below.

Of course, subjects should be studied thoroughly if the student wants to get high-marks. There are many easy ways to get the highest marks, for instance: the student should focus in lessons, organize his time, not ignore anything even if is it less important than the rest. To set an example, one of my relatives got a first class in his bachelor's and I asked her about the secret as she always stay with us, chatting, playing and so on. She told me that she made a timetable for herself and keeping to it without forgetting herself by relaxing, playing or having fun.

Dividing the subjects into small parts will help the student to concentrate more and finish faster. To set an example, if you have a maths exam, firstly you should study chapter by chapter starting with the easiest one. Taking at least 15 minutes break after each hour of studying is necessary to refresh your mind and prepare for more information. Some research I read once showed that if you are studying using a computer, every half hour you should take 5 minutes break concentrating on a spot on the wall to let your eyes relax.

Many students do not suffer from difficulties with the subjects themselves but they feel nervous the night before the exam, they think that they will fail. Sleeping well is one of the solutions. In addition to this, the student should enter the exam with confidence. Furthermore, the student should always remember that it is not only him who has to take the exam.

To sum up, you always have to remember that others are not better than you. Try not to stop the time you made a mistake because you should know that this mistake is only the beginning your new road to success. Finally, always remember Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are not better than you because they built their own lives themselves after failing at school. I hope that all my tips will help you.