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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a corporation
    • ex. He works for a big corporation that sells phones and computers around the world.
  2. hold (someone) accountable
    • ex. The government wants to hold big companies accountable for polluting the air.
  3. environmental
    • ex. We watched a movie about environmental damage caused by big factories.
  4. (be) responsible for (something)
    • ex. The company is responsible for the oil spill in the ocean.
  5. take (someone) to court
    • ex. She will take the company to court because they did not pay her for her work.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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A new study says that the world’s largest corporations have caused $28 trillion (about ¥4.3 quadrillion) in climate damage. This research aims to help people and governments hold companies accountable for environmental damage. The study was done by a team from Dartmouth College and focused on 111 companies. Ten big oil and gas companies, including Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, and Shell, caused more than half of the damage.

The researchers found that 1% of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 caused $502 billion (about ¥72 trillion) in heat damage. They used computer programs to see how much pollution from each company made the Earth hotter. For example, pollution from the company Chevron made the Earth warmer by 0.025 degrees Celsius. This method helps show how much each company contributes to climate change. 

Main researcher Christopher Callahan says it is important to understand which companies are responsible for the climate damage. This information can help people take companies to court. There are already 68 climate-related court cases around the world. Some scientists say this study is a good first step. However, they think the real damage could be even bigger than the numbers in the study.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Corporations and Environmental Damage

  • A new study says that the world's largest corporations have caused trillions of dollars in climate damage. What do you think about the companies mentioned in the article (ex. I don’t want to support them anymore, there’s nothing we can do)? Discuss.
  • What do you think people and governments should do to big corporations damaging the environment (ex. take the companies to court)? Discuss.
  • Imagine that big companies and corporations don’t change how they treat the planet. What do you think will happen in the future? Discuss.

Studies on the Environment

  • Do you think it is important to study climate damage? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The researchers found that 1% of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 caused $502 billion. What is your opinion on this (ex. it’s very serious)? Discuss.
  • Imagine you’re a researcher on climate. What kind of new research do you think should be done next? Discuss.