How to Talk About Climate Change in English (with Real Examples & Native Vocabulary)
Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
Release Date: 11/14/2025
Only 1% Pass This English Listening Test (Can You?)
Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
Most English learners think their listening is “pretty good.” This quiz will prove whether that’s true. In this video, you’ll take a real English listening test based on how native speakers actually talk — fast, connected, and reduced. No vocabulary tricks. No grammar questions. Just listening. You’ll hear each sentence one time and write exactly what you hear. 🎯 SCORING: 35–40 correct → Elite listening (top 1%) 25–34 → Advanced, but missing key details Under 25 → Listening is holding your fluency back If this test feels hard, that’s not bad news — it’s clarity....
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Understand Fast English at Work | Repeat After Me Listening Practice
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The 5 Biggest Listening Mistakes You're Making
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Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
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How to Talk About Climate Change in English (with Real Examples & Native Vocabulary)
Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
Talking About Climate Change with Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Alice Alpert Climate change is a topic that affects every one of us, yet it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even polarizing. That’s why I was excited to welcome Dr. Alice Alpert, Senior Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, to the Go Natural English podcast. Dr. Alpert studies emerging climate technologies, evaluates their real-world impact, and works with teams focused on methane, climate policy, and international sustainability partnerships. In our conversation, we explored misconceptions, sources of hope,...
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Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
Stop Giving Embarrassing Answers — Improve Your Speaking 133% with the D.N.A.S. Method 🗣️ Episode Description: Have you ever left an interview, meeting, or conversation thinking, “Ugh… why did I say it like that?” You’re not alone. Even smart, well-educated professionals often sound less intelligent than they really are — not because of their ideas, but because of how they answer questions. In this episode, Gabby Wallace (founder of Go Natural English) reveals her D.N.A.S. Method — a 4-step system that helps you organize your thoughts, speak clearly, and sound instantly...
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Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
🗣 Business English for Negotiations — How to Say “No” Without Sounding Rude Learn how to say “no” politely and confidently in English! In this Business English lesson, you’ll discover 5 professional ways to say “no” without offending anyone — perfect for meetings, negotiations, and workplace conversations. You’ll learn my 5 C’s Framework for polite refusals — practical phrases, real examples, tone tips, and short dialogues to sound confident in business English conversations. 🎯 What You’ll Learn ✅ How to say “no” politely and professionally in English ✅...
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The 5 Most Difficult English Sounds (and How to Finally Master Them)
Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons
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10 Common English Idioms You’ll Hear Every Day (and How to Use Them!) ✅
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Do you ever hear native English speakers say things like “break the ice” or “hit the books” — and wonder what on earth they’re talking about? In this episode, Gabby Wallace from Go Natural English breaks down 10 idioms you’ll hear every day — so you can understand them instantly and start using them naturally. You’ll get: ✅ Clear meanings and real examples ✅ Repeat-after-me pronunciation practice ✅ Tips to sound more fluent and natural in conversations If you’re ready to stop sounding like a textbook and start speaking real English, join English Insiders — Gabby’s...
info_outlineTalking About Climate Change with Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Alice Alpert
Climate change is a topic that affects every one of us, yet it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even polarizing. That’s why I was excited to welcome Dr. Alice Alpert, Senior Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, to the Go Natural English podcast. Dr. Alpert studies emerging climate technologies, evaluates their real-world impact, and works with teams focused on methane, climate policy, and international sustainability partnerships.
In our conversation, we explored misconceptions, sources of hope, daily sustainability habits, and clear English vocabulary related to the climate conversation.
What Does a Climate Scientist Do?
Dr. Alpert evaluates new climate solutions, from clean energy to carbon-removal technologies to sustainable farming. Her work starts with two key questions:
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Does this solution meaningfully help reduce climate impact?
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What are the trade-offs or challenges that come with it?
Her job is not just to imagine solutions but to determine what actually works.
The Biggest Misunderstanding About Climate Change
Dr. Alpert explained that a major misconception is the idea that climate action is “all or nothing.”
People often believe:
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“It’s too late to do anything,” or
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“It’s someone else’s responsibility.”
Both mindsets lead to inaction.
“You don’t have to be perfect,” she said. “Every step forward helps. The idea of ‘everything or nothing’ isn’t useful.”
How She Stays Hopeful
Climate news can feel heavy, so I asked what keeps her motivated. Her answer was simple: the future.
“I have three kids. That’s three votes for the future. We are moving in the right direction, and I think we’ll get most of the way there.”
Her optimism is practical and rooted in evidence. Many climate solutions are already working and becoming more affordable.
Misconceptions About Sustainability, Especially in Texas
One surprising part of our conversation was about renewable energy in Texas. Many people assume Texas is not sustainable, but the opposite is true.
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Texas produces more clean energy than any other U.S. state, and by a huge margin.
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Wind, solar, and battery storage are growing rapidly.
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Much of this growth is driven by economics, not ideology.
“It’s the cheapest energy,” she said. “People are making money from it.”
Another misconception is that sustainability is always more expensive. In reality, the cheapest new energy to build today is solar.
Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Benefits
Many sustainable choices cost more upfront but save money over time: installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle, or purchasing high-quality items that last longer.
I shared the example of clothing I’ve kept for more than a decade. A well-made sweater ended up costing less over time than several cheaper ones.
Dr. Alpert agreed. “The upfront investment is real. But long-term thinking matters.”
Everyday Sustainability: What Works for You
Dr. Alpert emphasized that sustainability should be personal and realistic.
A few examples we discussed:
Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping
Buying used items reduces waste and builds community.
Reusing Items for Children
Circulating children’s items among families increases their lifespan and reduces unnecessary purchases.
Flexible Eating Habits
She chooses what feels natural. She doesn’t eliminate any foods, but she eats less beef because she doesn’t enjoy it much and knows it has a higher climate impact.
Her philosophy is simple: do what works for your lifestyle, not someone else’s.
Cultural Differences in Sustainability
Many listeners of Go Natural English live in the United States but grew up abroad. If that describes you, you may have noticed differences in:
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recycling habits
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how food is packaged
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energy use
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transportation
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diet choices
We would love to hear about your experiences and what surprised you when comparing sustainability practices around the world.
Key English Vocabulary for Talking About Climate Change
Because much climate information is published in English, we reviewed several useful terms.
Carbon footprint
The amount of greenhouse gases created by an activity.
Carbon neutral
No net increase in emissions; emissions are balanced by removals.
Renewable or clean energy
Energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels. Examples include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and sometimes nuclear.
Fossil fuels
Coal, oil, and natural gas. Dr. Alpert jokingly compared them to “burning dinosaurs.”
Move the needle
To make a meaningful impact or measurable improvement.
In the same boat
Facing the same challenge or depending on the same shared resource.
Individual Actions and Leadership Actions
While individual choices matter, Dr. Alpert pointed out something important:
You cannot expect one person to “save the world.” Leadership and policy matter too.
So how do we hold leaders accountable?
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Voting, especially at the local level
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Joining conservation-minded organizations
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Speaking up through social media or letters
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Staying informed on local policies
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Supporting leaders who prioritize clean energy and sustainability
These steps make a meaningful difference.
Where to Learn More
Dr. Alpert recommends two easy places to start:
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The book “Not the End of the World” by Hannah Ritchie 📘 https://amzn.to/4nWcJ4L
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A simple online search for “Guide to what you can do about climate change”
She found this produces highly practical resources.
Her Approach in One Sentence
“Do your best and forget the rest.”
Sustainability does not require perfection. It requires participation and consistency.
What Will You Try Next?
Is there one small action you feel inspired to try this week?
Have you noticed differences in sustainability habits between countries?
Share your experience in the comments on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/OrspTd7eSyk
Your perspective might inspire someone else.
If you’d like more conversations like this—combining expert insights with practical English learning—follow the Go Natural English podcast for upcoming episodes.