🧑🎤 Talk Boosters – Day 18: “Are Humans Responsible for Natural Disasters?”
🗣️ Talk Boosters – Day 18: “Are Humans Responsible for Natural Disasters?”
🧑🏫 Instructions for Students:
Speak for 3–5 minutes expressing your opinion.
Use helpful expressions like:
👉 I think..., In my opinion..., Some people believe..., I strongly feel..., It's clear that...
Try to use real examples (floods in Kerala, landslides in hill areas, earthquakes in cities due to poor construction, etc.)
Focus on using simple present, present perfect, and passive voice where needed.
🗣️ Example Starter:
“I believe humans are partly responsible for many natural disasters. For example, in Kerala, landslides have become common because people cut down trees and build roads and buildings in dangerous hill areas. When it rains heavily, the soil becomes weak and slides down. It's not just nature’s fault—it’s also our mistake. We pollute rivers, block drainage systems, and throw plastic everywhere. All this leads to floods and accidents. So yes, human actions definitely play a big role in creating disasters…”
❓ Follow-up Questions for Discussion:
1️⃣ Have you ever seen or experienced a natural disaster?
2️⃣ What do you think causes most floods in our towns and cities?
3️⃣ Why are landslides becoming more frequent in hill areas?
4️⃣ Can cutting trees lead to disasters? How?
5️⃣ What happens when we build houses near rivers or steep hills?
6️⃣ Do you think climate change is caused by human activity?
7️⃣ How does plastic waste affect natural systems like rivers and drains?
8️⃣ What role should government and people play in preventing disasters?
9️⃣ How can we reduce accidents caused by human carelessness?
🔟 Are all natural disasters truly “natural”? Or are they man-made?
SAMPLE 1/1
Today, I would like to talk about a topic that deeply concerns us all: “Are Humans Responsible for Natural Disasters?”
In my opinion, the answer is yes—at least to a large extent. Many disasters that we call ‘natural’ today are either made worse by human actions or directly caused by them. The recent landslide in Meppadi, Wayanad, is a good example. It was triggered by heavy rain, but what made it deadly was deforestation and construction activities on unsafe hill slopes. Trees, which once held the soil together, were cut down. Without that protection, the soil became loose, and the entire hill collapsed during the rain.
In Kerala, we have seen many similar incidents. In 2018 and 2019, we experienced severe floods that caused hundreds of deaths and massive destruction. Experts said it was not just the rainfall that caused the flood, but also the way we blocked natural drainage systems, built roads and buildings near rivers, and filled wetlands. We replaced nature with concrete—and nature hit back.
Across India, this pattern is seen everywhere. In Uttarakhand, the flash floods in Kedarnath in 2013 took many lives. It was caused by melting glaciers, cloudbursts, and unplanned development. In Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh, landslides are becoming more common as we dig mountains for roads and destroy forests. Even in cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, flooding is now regular—not because of rivers, but because of blocked drains and poor planning.
We must understand one thing: nature has its own balance. When we cut trees, throw plastic in rivers, build on unsafe land, and burn fossil fuels—we disturb that balance. Climate change, rising temperatures, and unexpected rains are all signs that nature is giving us warnings. If we don’t listen, the disasters will only increase.
That’s why we need to act responsibly. Plant more trees. Respect the hills and rivers. Say no to illegal construction. Let nature breathe. Technology alone cannot save us. We need awareness, education, and a sense of responsibility in every citizen—from students to politicians.
In conclusion, natural disasters may not be fully under our control—but their size, damage, and frequency often depend on us. Let us not wait for another Meppadi or Chennai flood to wake up. Let us change our actions before nature forces us to.
Thank you. ”