🎧 Audio
📖 Script
In the 1990s, an Australian geologist ventured to Greenland with high hopes of uncovering rare earth minerals. These minerals are crucial for making modern technology like smartphones, electric cars, and wind turbines. Greenland, a vast and icy land, was thought to hold large deposits of these valuable resources. However, extracting them was not as straightforward as it seemed.
The geologist soon discovered that while Greenland may have significant mineral resources, the challenges of mining them were immense. The remote location, extreme weather conditions, and environmental concerns made extraction a costly and complicated process. Additionally, the infrastructure needed to support such mining operations was virtually non-existent. Building roads, ports, and other facilities in such a harsh environment would require huge investments, which many companies were hesitant to make.
Moreover, the environmental impact of mining in Greenland raised serious concerns. The pristine Arctic environment is sensitive, and mining could lead to severe ecological damage. This posed a moral dilemma: should the pursuit of economic gain outweigh the need to preserve one of the world’s last untouched wilderness areas?
Despite these challenges, the potential wealth from Greenland’s minerals continues to attract interest. As the world seeks new sources of rare earth minerals, Greenland remains a tantalizing prospect. However, any future endeavors must carefully balance economic benefits with environmental protection and the interests of Greenland’s indigenous communities.
Today, as climate change accelerates the melting of Greenland’s ice, new opportunities and risks emerge. Easier access to minerals could spur development, but it could also exacerbate environmental issues. The story of the Australian geologist serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between economic ambition and environmental stewardship in resource-rich regions.
📝 Vocabulary
- venture: meaning
例文: “She decided to venture into the unknown territory.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- venture into
- business venture
- venture out
冒険する、思い切って進む - extraction: meaning
例文: “The extraction of minerals from the earth can be challenging.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- oil extraction
- resource extraction
- extraction process
抽出、採取 - infrastructure: meaning
例文: “The government invested heavily in infrastructure development.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- infrastructure development
- infrastructure investment
- basic infrastructure
インフラ、基盤施設 - pristine: meaning
例文: “The pristine beaches attracted many tourists.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- pristine condition
- pristine environment
- pristine beauty
手つかずの、純粋な - dilemma: meaning
例文: “The company faced a dilemma between profit and ethics.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- moral dilemma
- ethical dilemma
- face a dilemma
ジレンマ、板ばさみ
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences – “If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
条件が満たされた場合の結果を説明する際に使用。例えば、ビジネスの会議で予算削減のメリットを話し合う際に適している。
📝 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 geologist found it easy to extract minerals in Greenland.
- MCQ: What was one of the main challenges of mining in Greenland?
a) Lack of workers
b) Remote location
c) Poor quality minerals
d) Government restrictions - MCQ: Why is Greenland considered a prospect for mineral resources?
a) Cheap labor
b) Abundant water resources
c) Potential wealth from minerals
d) Advanced technology
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Remote location
- c) Potential wealth from minerals
📚 Reading Questions
- What challenges did the geologist face when trying to mine in Greenland?
- Why is there a moral dilemma in mining Greenland’s minerals?
- What does the word “pristine” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The remote location, extreme weather, and lack of infrastructure.
- Because mining could harm the environment, which is a sensitive Arctic area.
- Untouched or in its original condition.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
グリーンランドは、希少な地球資源を持つことで知られるが、これを採掘するには多くの課題がある。極地に位置し、厳しい気候条件や環境保護の問題が大きな障害となっている。特に、必要なインフラの整備が遅れているため、多額の投資が求められる。しかし、地球温暖化により氷が溶け、アクセスが容易になることで、経済的な機会が増える可能性がある。今後、環境保護と経済発展のバランスをどのようにとるかが重要な課題となるであろう。
