🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Virginia has become known for having the highest concentration of data centers in the world. These data centers are large facilities where companies store and manage their data. While these centers bring economic benefits, like jobs and increased local revenue, many residents in Virginia are not happy about their presence. They believe that the data centers are causing various problems.
One of the main concerns is the environmental impact. Data centers require a lot of energy to operate, and this can lead to increased pollution. The noise from the cooling systems also disturbs local communities. Furthermore, they often require vast amounts of water for cooling purposes, which can strain local water resources. Residents worry that these factors are harming their environment and quality of life.
Another issue is the impact on real estate. The presence of large data centers can affect property values and change the character of neighborhoods. Some residents feel that their communities are becoming more industrial and less residential, which is not what they want for their home environment. They argue that the landscape is being altered to accommodate these facilities, which can be an eyesore and detract from the natural beauty of the area.
Despite these concerns, data centers are a significant part of modern infrastructure. They support the technology and internet services that people use every day. As technology continues to advance, the demand for data centers will likely increase. This creates a challenge for balancing economic growth with environmental and community needs.
Local authorities and companies are now faced with the task of finding solutions that address residents’ concerns while still supporting the technological growth that data centers bring. This might involve stricter regulations on where and how data centers are built, as well as investments in more sustainable technology. The situation in Virginia highlights a growing global issue: how to manage the expansion of digital infrastructure in a way that respects and preserves local communities.
📝 Vocabulary
- concentration: a large amount of something in one place
例文: “The concentration of data centers in Virginia is the highest in the world.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high concentration
- concentration level
- concentration of
集中 - revenue: income from business activities
例文: “The new data centers have increased local revenue.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- generate revenue
- revenue growth
- revenue stream
収益 - pollution: harmful substances added to the environment
例文: “Data centers can contribute to air pollution.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- air pollution
- reduce pollution
- pollution control
汚染 - strain: pressure or demand on resources
例文: “The data centers put a strain on local water resources.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- put strain
- relieve strain
- strain on
負担 - infrastructure: basic physical systems of a community
例文: “Data centers are an important part of modern infrastructure.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- infrastructure development
- infrastructure investment
- infrastructure project
インフラ
✏️ Grammar Point
Future Continuous Tense – “As technology continues to advance, the demand for data centers will likely increase.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
未来のある時点で進行中の事柄を表現する際に使われます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘Next year, we will be expanding our operations to new regions.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Virginia has the highest concentration of data centers in the world.
- MCQ: What is one main concern residents have about data centers?
a) They increase job opportunities.
b) They improve local infrastructure.
c) They cause environmental problems.
d) They enhance property values. - MCQ: What might local authorities do to address residents’ concerns?
a) Build more data centers.
b) Increase taxes on residents.
c) Implement stricter regulations.
d) Ignore the complaints.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- c) They cause environmental problems.
- c) Implement stricter regulations.
📚 Reading Questions
- What issues do Virginia residents have with data centers?
- Why might stricter regulations be necessary for data centers?
- What does the word “strain” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Residents are concerned about environmental impacts and changes in their neighborhoods.
- Stricter regulations might be necessary to balance technological growth with community needs.
- In the context of the script, “strain” means pressure or demand on resources.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
バージニア州は世界最大のデータセンター集中地域となっていますが、住民からの不満が高まっています。主な懸念は、環境への影響や不動産価値の変動、地域の景観の変化です。データセンターは多くのエネルギーと水を必要とし、騒音や汚染を引き起こす可能性があります。これに対し、地元当局と企業は住民の懸念を解決しつつ、技術の発展を支える方法を模索しています。持続可能な技術への投資や、データセンターの建設に対する規制強化が必要となるでしょう。この問題は、デジタルインフラの拡大をいかに地域社会と共存させるかという、世界的な課題を浮き彫りにしています。
