【Asia Business English】Indonesian wildfires threaten forest carbon projects（B1–B2）

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

Indonesian wildfires are posing a serious threat to forest carbon projects. These projects are important because they aim to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by preserving forests that absorb this greenhouse gas. However, the fires are damaging these forests, which could lead to more carbon dioxide being released into the air. This situation is concerning for both the environment and the global fight against climate change.

The wildfires in Indonesia are not a new problem. They occur every year, often due to illegal land clearing by burning. This is a cheap method used by farmers and companies to prepare land for agriculture. Unfortunately, these fires can grow out of control, especially during dry seasons, causing widespread damage. The smoke from these fires also affects air quality, impacting the health of millions of people in Indonesia and neighboring countries.

Forest carbon projects are designed to protect forests by financially rewarding those who preserve them. These projects are part of a larger global effort to combat climate change by reducing emissions. However, if the forests are destroyed by fires, these projects cannot succeed. The loss of forests means a loss of carbon storage capacity, which is crucial for controlling global warming.

Efforts are being made to combat the fires and protect these important forests. The Indonesian government, along with international organizations, is working to improve fire management and enforcement of laws against illegal burning. There is also a push to educate farmers and companies about sustainable land-clearing methods. These efforts are essential to preserve the environment and ensure the success of carbon projects.

Overall, the wildfires in Indonesia highlight the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental protection. It is a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices to secure a healthier planet for future generations.

📝 Vocabulary

• wildfire: a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush
  例文: “Wildfires can cause significant damage to forests and wildlife.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • raging wildfire
  • control a wildfire
  • wildfire season

  森林火災
• carbon dioxide: a colorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds
  例文: “Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • reduce carbon dioxide
  • carbon dioxide emissions
  • carbon dioxide levels

  二酸化炭素
• greenhouse gas: gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect
  例文: “Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • greenhouse gas emissions
  • reduce greenhouse gases
  • greenhouse gas effect

  温室効果ガス
• deforestation: the action of clearing a wide area of trees
  例文: “Deforestation is a significant environmental issue.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • prevent deforestation
  • deforestation rate
  • stop deforestation

  森林伐採
• sustainable: able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depletion
  例文: “Sustainable farming practices help preserve the environment.”
  Collocations／日本語の意味を見る

  • sustainable development
  • sustainable energy
  • sustainable practices

  持続可能な

✏️ Grammar Point

Present Continuous Tense – “These projects are important because they aim to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by preserving forests that absorb this greenhouse gas.”

文法の日本語補足を見る

現在進行形は、進行中の動作や一時的な状態を表します。

💡 使用場面

現在進行形は、特定の時点で起きていることや、今まさに進んでいることを言うときに使います。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘We are currently working on a new project that aims to enhance sustainability.’”

❓ Listening Questions

1. True/False: Indonesian wildfires are a new problem that started recently.
2. MCQ: What is one of the main causes of the wildfires in Indonesia?
   a) Natural disasters
   b) Illegal land clearing by burning
   c) Industrial pollution
   d) Overpopulation
3. MCQ: What is the purpose of forest carbon projects?
   a) To increase agricultural production
   b) To reduce carbon dioxide by protecting forests
   c) To develop new technologies
   d) To build new roads

🔑 Listening Answersを見る

1. False
2. b) Illegal land clearing by burning
3. b) To reduce carbon dioxide by protecting forests

📚 Reading Questions

1. What are forest carbon projects, and why are they important?
2. Why do wildfires in Indonesia occur frequently?
3. What does the word “sustainable” mean in the context of the script?

🔑 Reading Answersを見る

1. Forest carbon projects aim to reduce carbon dioxide by preserving forests, which is important for controlling global warming.
2. Wildfires in Indonesia frequently occur due to illegal land clearing by burning as a cheap method for agriculture.
3. Sustainable means able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depletion, often used in the context of environmental practices.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

インドネシアの森林火災は、森林炭素プロジェクトに深刻な影響を与えています。これらのプロジェクトは、気候変動対策の一環として、二酸化炭素を吸収する森林を保護することを目的としています。しかし、森林火災による被害で、プロジェクトの成功が危ぶまれています。国内外の協力で火災管理の改善と持続可能な開発の推進が求められています。今後の経済成長と環境保護の両立が重要な課題となります。

Source: https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/environment/indonesian-wildfires-threaten-forest-carbon-projects