🎧 Audio
📖 Script
In Southern Europe, wildfires have become a significant problem as they intensify during a severe heatwave. Countries like Spain, Portugal, and Greece are facing these fires at a particularly challenging time, as major religious holidays are underway. The heatwave has brought extremely high temperatures, which have created the perfect conditions for wildfires to spread quickly and cause widespread damage.
Local authorities have been working tirelessly to control these fires, but the situation remains difficult. Firefighters are battling the flames around the clock, and many residents have been forced to evacuate their homes to stay safe. The government is urging people to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines to protect themselves and their families.
The impact of these wildfires is not only environmental but also economic. The fires are destroying large areas of forest, which affects local wildlife and biodiversity. Additionally, the damage to property and infrastructure is significant, leading to costly repairs and economic losses for the affected regions. Many businesses are also struggling as tourism, an important part of the local economy, has been disrupted.
Experts are pointing out that climate change is likely contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of these heatwaves and wildfires. They emphasize the need for international cooperation to address the root causes of climate change and to find sustainable solutions to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As these fires continue to burn, the people of Southern Europe are showing resilience and solidarity. Communities are coming together to support those affected, providing shelter and resources to those in need. The international community is also offering assistance, with some countries sending firefighters and equipment to help combat the blazes.
In conclusion, the wildfires in Southern Europe highlight the urgent need for effective climate action. While the immediate focus is on controlling the current fires, there is a clear call for long-term strategies to prevent future disasters. This situation serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of global environmental issues and the importance of working together to create a safer and more sustainable world.
📝 Vocabulary
- intensify: to become stronger or more extreme
例文: “The heatwave is causing the wildfires to intensify.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- intensify efforts
- intensify the search
- intensify the conflict
強化する、激化する - evacuate: to leave a place for safety reasons
例文: “Residents had to evacuate their homes due to the approaching fire.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- evacuate the building
- evacuate immediately
- evacuate the area
避難する - infrastructure: the basic physical systems of a country or community
例文: “The wildfires caused significant damage to the local infrastructure.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- transport infrastructure
- infrastructure development
- critical infrastructure
インフラ、基盤設備 - biodiversity: the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem
例文: “Wildfires can have a severe impact on biodiversity.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- biodiversity conservation
- biodiversity loss
- rich biodiversity
生物多様性 - resilience: the ability to recover quickly from difficulties
例文: “The community showed great resilience after the disaster.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- resilience strategy
- resilience skills
- resilience training
回復力、レジリエンス
✏️ Grammar Point
Present Continuous Tense – “Firefighters are battling the flames around the clock.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
進行中の出来事や一時的な状況について話すときに使います。
📝 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 wildfires in Southern Europe are happening during a heatwave.
- MCQ: What is one major impact of the wildfires mentioned in the script?
a) Increased tourism
b) Economic losses
c) Improved infrastructure
d) Reduced temperatures - MCQ: What is a contributing factor to the increasing frequency of heatwaves and wildfires?
a) Economic policies
b) Local traditions
c) Climate change
d) Political decisions
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- b) Economic losses
- c) Climate change
📚 Reading Questions
- What countries are mentioned as being affected by the wildfires?
- Why do experts believe that international cooperation is necessary?
- What does the word “solidarity” suggest in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Spain, Portugal, and Greece
- To address the root causes of climate change and find sustainable solutions
- It suggests unity and support among people.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
ヨーロッパ南部で発生した山火事は、熱波の影響で広がりを見せています。特にスペイン、ポルトガル、ギリシャなどで被害が深刻であり、これらの地域では主要な宗教的祝祭の時期と重なっています。山火事による環境的影響はもちろん、経済的損失も大きく、観光業の停滞やインフラの破壊が懸念されています。これらの問題の背景には気候変動があり、国際社会の協力が必要とされています。今後、持続可能な解決策を模索することが求められるでしょう。
