🎧 Audio
📖 Script
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States is proposing significant changes to its rules about greenhouse gases. These changes could have a big impact on how cars are made and how much pollution they cause. Under the previous administration, there were rules to make cars cleaner by reducing the emissions they produce. However, the current administration wants to eliminate these rules. They even suggest not considering carbon dioxide as pollution. This means that the last rule protecting the environment from car emissions might be removed.
Cars are a major source of pollution. They produce carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to climate change. The rules aimed to reduce these emissions by requiring car manufacturers to produce vehicles that are more fuel-efficient. This would mean cars would use less petrol and produce less pollution. The changes proposed by the EPA could stop these improvements. Many people are worried about what this means for the environment and public health.
Environmental groups argue that removing these rules will lead to more pollution and harm the planet. They say that keeping the rules is crucial for fighting climate change. These groups also believe that the move is a step backward in environmental protection. On the other hand, some car manufacturers and industry groups support the change. They argue that the rules are too strict and expensive to follow. They believe that removing these rules will make cars cheaper to produce and buy.
The decision will have a significant impact on the environment and the car industry. It raises important questions about how we balance economic interests with environmental protection. The outcome will affect not just the United States but also other countries, as many look to the US for leadership in environmental policies. Whether these changes will help or harm remains to be seen, but they highlight the ongoing debate between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
📝 Vocabulary
- propose: to suggest a plan or idea (提案する)
例文: “The government proposed a new law to improve public health.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- propose a plan
- propose a change
- propose a solution
- emission: the act of sending out gas, heat, light, etc. (排出)
例文: “Car emissions contribute to air pollution.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- reduce emissions
- carbon emissions
- harmful emissions
- eliminate: to remove or get rid of something (排除する)
例文: “The company is working to eliminate waste in its production process.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- eliminate a problem
- eliminate waste
- eliminate the need
- impact: the strong effect that something has (影響)
例文: “The new policy had a significant impact on the economy.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- positive impact
- negative impact
- economic impact
- sustainable: able to be maintained or continued (持続可能な)
例文: “We need to find sustainable solutions to environmental problems.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- sustainable development
- sustainable energy
- sustainable growth
✏️ Grammar Point
Relative Clauses – “They produce carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to climate change.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
関係代名詞は、話している対象についてさらに詳しい情報を提供したいときに使います。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The EPA is proposing to strengthen its greenhouse gas rules.
- MCQ: What is the main concern of environmental groups regarding the new EPA proposal?
a) It will make cars more expensive.
b) It will increase pollution.
c) It will improve air quality.
d) It will support car manufacturers. - MCQ: What do some car manufacturers believe about the greenhouse gas rules?
a) They make cars more fuel-efficient.
b) They are necessary for reducing pollution.
c) They are too strict and expensive.
d) They will enhance the environment.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) It will increase pollution.
- c) They are too strict and expensive.
📚 Reading Questions
- What changes is the EPA proposing regarding greenhouse gas rules?
- Why do some groups support removing the greenhouse gas rules?
- What does the word “eliminate” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The EPA is proposing to eliminate the greenhouse gas rules.
- Some groups support removing the rules because they believe they are too strict and expensive.
- To remove or get rid of something.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
EPAが提案している温室効果ガス規制の変更は、アメリカの自動車産業と環境に大きな影響を与える可能性があります。これまでの規制は、自動車の燃費を向上させ、排出ガスを削減することを目的としていましたが、新たな提案ではこれを撤廃しようとしています。これにより、自動車の製造コストが下がり、産業に利益をもたらす一方で、環境への悪影響が懸念されています。日本を含む他国でも、アメリカの環境政策の変化は注目されており、今後の国際的な環境対策にも影響を及ぼす可能性があります。
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/29/nx-s1-5463771/epa-greenhouse-gas-regulations-cars-pollution
