The environment: wider issues

Talk about problems facing the planet, what we should do about them, and give and justify your own opinion.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Problems

el medio ambiente = the environment
la contaminación (pollution), el cambio climático (climate change), el calentamiento global (global warming)
la basura (rubbish), el plástico, los animales en peligro de extinción (endangered animals)
El problema is masculine, even though it ends in -a: el problema más grave = the most serious problem.

What should we do?

Hay que + infinitive = you have to: Hay que reciclar.
Se debe / debemos + infinitive = you should / we must: Debemos ahorrar agua y energía.
No se debe tirar basura al suelo. = You should not drop litter.
Ideas: reciclar el papel y el vidrio, usar el transporte público, ir en bici, apagar la luz.

Giving and justifying opinions

En mi opinión... / Creo que... / Para mí...
Es importante + infinitive: Es importante proteger el planeta.
Estoy de acuerdo. = I agree. No estoy de acuerdo. = I disagree.
Always add a reason with porque or ya que: ...porque la contaminación es peligrosa.
Worked example

Translate: In my opinion, we must use public transport because pollution is a big problem.

  1. In my opinion: en mi opinión.
  2. we must use public transport: debemos usar el transporte público.
  3. because pollution is a big problem: porque la contaminación es un gran problema. Grande shortens to gran before a singular noun.

Answer: En mi opinión, debemos usar el transporte público porque la contaminación es un gran problema.

Key idea

El medio ambiente, la contaminación, el cambio climático, la basura; el problema is masculine. Hay que / se debe / debemos / es importante + infinitive. Give an opinion and justify it with porque.

Common mistakes
Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. What does "la contaminación" mean?

    1. pollution
    2. the environment
    3. rubbish
    4. recycling
    Show the answer

    Answer: pollution

    La contaminación = pollution.

  2. What does "Hay que reciclar el papel" mean?

    1. There is paper
    2. I want to recycle paper
    3. You have to recycle paper
    4. Paper is recycled
    Show the answer

    Answer: You have to recycle paper

    Hay que + infinitive = you have to.

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Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All KS3 Spanish lessons

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.