🎧 Audio
📖 Script
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) was set to vote on a significant plan to reduce pollution from shipping. This initiative aimed to address the environmental impact of shipping, a major contributor to global emissions. However, the vote has been delayed. The delay comes after former US President Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions if the deal went through. This move has caused concern among environmental groups and countries that support the plan.
Shipping is a key part of global trade, responsible for moving goods across the world. Unfortunately, it also produces a large amount of pollution, affecting the air and contributing to climate change. The IMO’s plan was to introduce stricter regulations on emissions, pushing for cleaner technologies and fuels. Many nations, especially those vulnerable to climate change, saw this as a necessary step toward a more sustainable future.
Trump’s opposition is rooted in his belief that the deal would harm the US economy by increasing costs for American shipping companies. He argues that these companies would struggle to compete if they had to implement expensive new technologies. Critics, however, say that the long-term benefits of reducing emissions far outweigh the short-term economic costs.
The delay in the vote has sparked a debate about the balance between economic interests and environmental responsibility. Proponents of the deal argue that without action, the environmental damage could be irreversible, impacting weather patterns and sea levels. On the other hand, opponents worry about the immediate economic impacts of stricter regulations.
This situation highlights the complex relationship between economic policy and environmental protection. As the world grapples with climate change, finding solutions that satisfy both economic and environmental concerns remains a significant challenge. The IMO’s decision on this matter will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for future international environmental agreements.
📝 Vocabulary
- emissions: gases released into the air, usually from vehicles or factories
例文: “The government is working on reducing vehicle emissions to improve air quality.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- reduce emissions
- greenhouse emissions
- carbon emissions
排出物 - sanctions: official penalties or restrictions
例文: “The country faced sanctions due to its actions against international law.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- impose sanctions
- economic sanctions
- lift sanctions
制裁 - regulations: official rules or laws
例文: “New regulations require factories to cut down on waste.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- strict regulations
- safety regulations
- government regulations
規制 - sustainable: able to be maintained or continued without harming the environment
例文: “Farmers are adopting sustainable practices to protect the environment.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- sustainable development
- sustainable energy
- sustainable practices
持続可能な - precedent: an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example
例文: “This court ruling sets a precedent for future cases.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- legal precedent
- historical precedent
- set a precedent
先例
✏️ Grammar Point
Relative Clauses – “Shipping is a key part of global trade, responsible for moving goods across the world.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
関係代名詞は、会話や文章の中で名詞を詳しく説明したいときに使われます。この構文は、情報を追加することで文章をより説明的にします。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a conversation about a book, you might say: ‘The book that I borrowed from you was fascinating.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The International Maritime Organization has voted to reduce shipping emissions.
- MCQ: What is the main reason for the delay in the IMO vote?
a) Lack of technology
b) International protests
c) Trump’s threat of sanctions
d) Environmental group opposition - MCQ: What concern do opponents of the shipping emission deal have?
a) Long-term environmental impact
b) Short-term economic costs
c) Lack of international support
d) Technological feasibility
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- c) Trump’s threat of sanctions
- b) Short-term economic costs
📚 Reading Questions
- What was the International Maritime Organization planning to vote on?
- Why do some countries support the IMO’s plan to reduce shipping emissions?
- What does the word “precedent” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The International Maritime Organization was planning to vote on a plan to reduce pollution from shipping.
- Some countries support the IMO’s plan because they see it as a necessary step toward a more sustainable future and to address climate change.
- An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
海運業は世界貿易の重要な部分を占めていますが、同時に気候変動に影響を与える大量の排出ガスを出しています。国際海事機関（IMO）はこの問題に対処するため、排出削減計画を進めていましたが、トランプ前大統領の制裁の脅しにより投票が延期されました。この遅延は環境と経済のバランスを巡る議論を引き起こしており、持続可能な未来に向けた取り組みが求められています。日本にとっても、海運業の環境規制は国際的な競争力や環境政策に影響を与える可能性があります。将来的には、環境保護と経済成長を両立させるための新たな技術や政策が必要となるでしょう。
