consecutive interpreting practice

Summary

The speaker, addressing a global audience, emphasizes the urgent reality of climate change, beyond individual choices, requiring large-scale action from industries and governments. He calls for a price on carbon emissions, an end to subsidies for fossil fuels, and a transition to renewable energy as a viable economic policy. The message is clear: solving the climate crisis is not political but a matter of human survival and rights to a liveable climate.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The speaker, an actor and concerned citizen, emphasizes the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, highlighting the global participation in marches and the collective desire for action.
• 🎭 The speaker criticizes the attitude of treating climate change as a fictional problem, stressing that it is a tangible and pressing issue with real-world consequences.
• 🔥 Climate change is causing severe environmental impacts, such as intensifying droughts, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, which are supported by scientific evidence and recognized by various sectors, including the military.
• ❄️ The melting of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets is occurring at alarming rates, surpassing scientific projections and indicating the severity of the situation.
• 🏢 The speaker calls for industry and governments to take decisive large-scale action, moving beyond individual choices and addressing the systemic issues contributing to climate change.
• 💰 A key proposal is to put a price on carbon emissions and eliminate government subsidies for fossil fuel industries, which are seen as outdated and environmentally harmful.
• 🌱 Renewable energy is presented as a viable and economically beneficial alternative to traditional energy sources, dispelling the notion that addressing climate change is economically detrimental.
• 🌿 The debate over climate change is framed as a human issue rather than a partisan one, with clean air and a livable climate being recognized as fundamental human rights.
• 🌍 The speaker addresses the assembled leaders, urging them to take responsibility for the momentum generated by global marches and to act courageously and honestly in the face of humanity's greatest challenge.
• 📢 The script concludes with a plea for leaders to listen to the voices of the people and to act with the gravity that the climate crisis demands, emphasizing the importance of their role in shaping the future.
• 👏 The speech is met with applause, indicating a positive reception and support for the call to action against climate change.

Q & A

Who is the speaker addressing in the script?

The speaker is addressing Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and the global audience concerned about the climate crisis.

What significant event did the speaker participate in prior to this speech?

The speaker participated in a march in New York, which was attended by 400,000 people, showing solidarity and concern for the climate crisis.

How does the speaker describe the general attitude towards climate change before the speech?

The speaker describes the general attitude as one of denial and avoidance, comparing it to pretending that climate change is a fiction.

What are some of the current climate change impacts mentioned in the script?

The script mentions intensifying droughts, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, and the melting of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets at unprecedented rates.

What does the speaker believe the scientific community, industry, governments, and the military know about climate change?

The speaker believes that all these groups are aware of the reality and severity of climate change, and its impacts on the environment and security.

What does the speaker consider the role of this gathering in human history?

The speaker considers this gathering as potentially the most important in human history, as it faces the challenge of addressing the climate crisis and has the power to make a difference.

What is the speaker's view on individual actions versus large-scale actions in addressing climate change?

The speaker believes that while individual actions are important, the crisis has grown beyond individual choices and now requires decisive large-scale actions by industries and governments.

What specific actions does the speaker suggest to combat climate change?

The speaker suggests putting a price on carbon emissions, eliminating government subsidies for old oil, coal, and gas companies, and ending the free ride for industrial polluters.

How does the speaker frame the renewable energy solution in terms of economic policy?

The speaker frames renewable energy as not only achievable but also as good economic policy, emphasizing that it is not a partisan debate but a human necessity.

What does the speaker consider as 'inalienable human rights' in the context of the speech?

The speaker considers clean air and a liveable climate as inalienable human rights, highlighting the fundamental nature of these aspects for human survival.

What is the speaker's final message to the delegates and leaders of the world?

The speaker urges the delegates and leaders to face the challenge of climate change with courage and honesty, emphasizing that it is their responsibility to answer the call of the people and solve this crisis.