【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. indigenous / ɪnˈdɪdʒ ə nəs / (adj.) – native to an area
Example: Many indigenous communities live in our town’s mountain.
2. endangered / ɛnˈdeɪn dʒərd / (adj.) – at risk of getting extinct
Example: Some of the endangered animals include tigers and mountain lions.
3. degradation / ˌdɛg rəˈdeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the process of destroying something
Example: Illegal logging leads to the degradation of the forest.
4. crowdfunding / ˈkraʊdˌfʌn dɪŋ / (n.) – the process of raising money by asking contributions from a large group of people
Example: The environmental organization uses crowdfunding to fund its campaigns.
5. proceeds / ˈproʊ sidz / (n.) – the total amount of generated money
Example: The proceeds of the fund-raising event will be used to preserve the Amazon forest.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
The World Wide Fund (WWF) predicts that the world will lose 80% of its forests by 2030.
According to the WWF, this loss, which is predicted to be at around 170 million hectares, will come from only 11 places. These places include the Amazon, East Africa, and Eastern Australia. These areas are inhabited by indigenous communities and endangered species, who depend on these forest fronts for their livelihood and survival.
The WWF’s Living Forests reported that expanding agricultural activities cause the degradation of the world’s forests. These activities include palm oil and soy production, livestock farming, and small-scale farming. Deforestation is also linked to excessive wood fuel collection and unsustainable logging.
Other causes of deforestation include mining, construction of hydroelectric [hahy-droh-i-LEK-trik] dams, and road constructions, which open doors to new settlers and agriculture. Should these activities continue without proper regulation, the world may lose up to 230 million hectares of forest by 2050.
Earlier this year, a non-profit organization called Code REDD launched a campaign called Stand For Trees in order to reduce deforestation. This campaign uses social media and crowdfunding to encourage people to help prevent further deforestation.
With the mobile web solution funded by the US Agency for International Development, people can take part in the campaign by purchasing Stand For Trees Certificates for $10. The proceeds of this campaign will help protect forest communities and endangered species around the world. Also, part of the income generated by the campaign will go to training for forest rangers who will monitor and stop people from logging and hunting animals illegally.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think this information will encourage people to do something to protect forests? Why or why not?
· Given the chance, would you purchase Stand For Trees certificates? Why is that so?
Discussion B
· If you were to start an environmental campaign, what campaign would it be and why?
· What could happen if the world loses all of its forests?
