Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- aspiration / ˌæs pəˈreɪ ʃən / (n.) – something someone really wants to do or hopes to achieve in the future
Example:The government announced its aspirations to improve public transport, aiming to make buses and trains faster and greener.
- hang in the balance / hæŋ ɪn ðə ˈbæl əns / (idiom) – to be in a situation where the result is unsure or not known yet
Example:The soccer team’s chance to win the championship hangs in the balance after losing the first game. They must win the next match to stay in the tournament.
- levy / ˈlɛv i / (n.) – an amount of money paid to or collected by a government or organization
Example:The government added a new levy to help pay for public schools’ expenses.
- equitably / ˈɛk wɪ tə bli / (adv.) – in a way that is fair and equal
Example:The company aims to pay all its employees equitably, based on their skills and experience.
- immense / ɪˈmɛns / (adj.) – very big or great in size, amount, or importance
Example:The company spent an immense amount of money on the new building. It was the biggest office in the city.
Article
Read the text below.
Nations are trying to reach an agreement to charge commercial vessels a fee for their emissions in what would effectively be the world’s first global carbon tax.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which regulates international shipping, set a target for the sector to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by about 2050, and committed to ensuring that fuels with zero or near-zero emissions are used more widely.
The committee, comprised of IMO member states, is working to approve proposed new global regulations to put a price on maritime greenhouse gas emissions and to set a marine fuel standard to phase in cleaner fuels.
The measures are more than climate aspirations—they will become mandatory for ships operating globally, said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who thinks the industry must do more to cut carbon pollution. The committee will “set the course for a net-zero future for the maritime sector,” he told The Associated Press.
The future of clean shipping hangs in the balance, said Emma Fenton, senior director for climate diplomacy at a U.K.-based climate change nonprofit, Opportunity Green. Fenton said a high price, simple flat-rate levy on shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions is the only way to decarbonize the industry equitably.
“If an agreement is reached, it would represent a huge moment of solidarity in the fight to tackle climate change,” Fenton said. “For the first time, we will have, hopefully, an effective global framework tackling this international issue. Most emissions are tackled domestically.”
Emissions from shipping have increased over the last decade—to about 3% of the global total according to the United Nations—as vessels have gotten much bigger, delivering more cargo per trip and using immense amounts of fuel oil.
Some fear that anything short of a universal levy would jeopardize climate goals and allow wealthier ship owners to buy compliance while continuing to pollute. Ambassador Albon Ishoda, Marshall Islands’ special envoy for maritime decarbonization, said IMO’s climate targets are “meaningless” without the levy. Revenue from a levy could be used to help developing countries transition to greener shipping, so they aren’t left behind with dirty fuels and old ships.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Climate targets are meaningless if no action is taken against shipping emissions. As a consumer, how does knowing about the immense shipping emissions affect your purchasing decisions? What do you think would happen if more people knew about this (ex. nothing, people would buy less from overseas)? Discuss.
- Countries may start charging ships a fee for the pollution they create. How do you think a carbon fee would change the way companies do business (ex. products will be more expensive, companies will avoid international shipping)? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Most emissions are tackled domestically, and the new shipping tax will be the first international action against the climate issue. Do you think local or national actions are enough to fight climate change? Why or why not? How important do you think it is to have a global framework in fighting against international issues like climate change? Discuss.
- Some say rich companies may find ways around the rules, while poor ones fall behind. Do you think it’s fair if the rules are the same for everyone? Why or why not? Do you think companies should pay more if they cause more pollution? Why do you say so? Discuss.
