UN: Rising sea levels disaster for all: BBC Learning English from the News

Summary

In this episode of 'Learning English from the News,' BBC Learning English discusses the urgent issue of rising sea levels. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns that climate change and rising sea levels are a global threat, particularly affecting Pacific Island nations like Tuvalu and the Cook Islands. The UN calls for global action, urging major polluting countries, especially the G20, to reduce emissions and mitigate further damage. The episode highlights key vocabulary related to the crisis, such as 'rallying cry,' 'coming for us,' and 'turn the tide,' while emphasizing the importance of immediate action to prevent a global catastrophe.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rising sea levels are a global catastrophe and will affect everyone, especially small Pacific islands like Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.
• 😀 The United Nations (UN) has warned that rising sea levels are a threat to global populations, not just specific regions.
• 😀 The phrase 'coming for us' is used metaphorically to describe an imminent threat, even though rising sea levels do not have intent like a person or animal.
• 😀 A 'rallying cry' is an urgent call to action, often used to bring people together for a cause, such as the UN’s call to address climate change.
• 😀 The UN urges big polluting countries, particularly the G20, to take responsibility for cutting emissions that contribute to global warming and rising sea levels.
• 😀 The concept of 'turning the tide' refers to reversing a negative trend, which, in the context of this story, involves fighting rising sea levels and global warming.
• 😀 'Turn the tide' is also a play on words, connecting the literal sea tide with the metaphor of reversing the negative trend of rising sea levels.
• 😀 The UN is calling for urgent action to prevent irreversible global damage and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
• 😀 The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizes that small island nations, despite not contributing to climate change, are suffering disproportionately from its effects.
• 😀 The need for immediate action is highlighted as the world is running out of time to tackle climate change and prevent further environmental damage.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in this episode of Learning English from the News?

The main issue discussed is the global threat posed by rising sea levels and their devastating impact, particularly on small Pacific Islands like Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.

What does the phrase 'coming for us all' mean in the context of rising sea levels?

The phrase 'coming for us all' is used metaphorically to describe the threat of rising sea levels. It suggests that while the sea levels don’t have intent, they are a harmful force affecting everyone globally.

How does the phrase 'rallying cry' relate to the UN’s actions regarding climate change?

A 'rallying cry' refers to a call for action. In this case, the UN is using a rallying cry to urge countries and individuals to come together and take action to help combat climate change and support Pacific Islands affected by rising sea levels.

Why is the term 'turn the tide' significant in the context of rising sea levels?

'Turn the tide' means to reverse a current trend or situation. In the context of rising sea levels, it refers to the challenge of reversing the increase in sea levels, which is seen as a difficult and urgent task.

What is the significance of the UN Secretary-General's statement regarding big polluters?

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizes that major polluting countries, especially those in the G20, have a clear responsibility to cut emissions in order to prevent further climate change and its disastrous effects, particularly on vulnerable regions like the Pacific Islands.

What is the role of the G20 countries in addressing climate change?

The G20 countries, which are responsible for 80% of global emissions, have a crucial role in addressing climate change by reducing their emissions. The UN calls on these countries to act decisively to mitigate the effects of global warming.

How does the UN suggest we can prevent irreversible climate damage?

The UN suggests that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is essential to prevent irreversible climate damage. Exceeding this temperature increase could lead to catastrophic environmental consequences.

What example does Neil give to explain the phrase 'turn the tide'?

Neil gives the example of a football match where his son’s team was losing 2-0 but managed to turn the tide by coming back and winning 5-2, reversing the trend of the game.

What does the headline 'World running out of time to turn tide on rising sea levels' suggest?

The headline suggests that the world is facing a time crunch in addressing the rising sea levels and reversing the damage caused by climate change. The urgency is underscored by the fact that we are running out of time to take effective action.

How do the UN’s warnings relate to the Pacific Islands specifically?

The UN warns that the Pacific Islands, despite contributing little to climate change, are suffering disproportionately from its effects, particularly rising sea levels. The UN emphasizes the need for urgent action to protect these islands from further environmental damage.