Green Energy
The United Kingdom is doing a lot to increase its use of renewable energy. It is moving away from fossil fuels and making more use of green energies, such as wind power, nuclear power and solar energy. New figures from the UK's electricity provider show that the UK had its greenest year ever in 2017 for electricity production. It even had its first coal-free day for over 150 years. The UK broke 13 clean energy records in 2017. In June, wind, nuclear and solar power produced more electricity than gas and coal combined. It was the first time this has ever happened. The UK's power system is now the fourth cleanest in Europe and the seventh cleanest in the world.
The United Kingdom has been trying to reduce the amount of coal it uses. Coal now supplies less than 7 per cent of the UK's electricity. A spokesman said it must now try to use less gas to make sure it meets its target for greenhouse gas emissions. The UK currently uses too much gas. The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund said it was pleased that the UK is moving towards greener energy. It said: "We have never been cleaner or greener, and we are on [target] for an even better year in 2018." It added: "Climate change is wreaking havoc on our nature and wildlife, but we are at last facing up to the challenge. We are turning our backs on polluting fossil fuels and embracing a new, clean future."
Sources: bbc.com / independent.co.uk / telegraph.co.uk
Choose True / False
a) The article said the UK is having problems moving away from fossil fuels. T / F
b) The UK is making less use of wind power. T / F
c) In 2017, the UK had its first coal-free day for over 150 years. T / F
d) The UK has the fourth cleanest energy system in the world. T / F
e) Less than 7% of the UK's electricity comes from coal. T / F
f) The article says the UK doesn't use enough gas. T / F
g) A wildlife charity wasn't happy about the UK's efforts to be greener. T / F
h) The charity said the UK was turning its back on greener energy. T / F
The UK is committed to reducing its emissions by at least 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. We need a transformation of the UK economy while ensuring secure, low carbon energy supplies to 2050. We face about how to do this: should we rely more on cutting energy demand, or on increasing and decarbonising ? How should we produce our electricity – should we build more , rely on nuclear power or build up other sectors?
Анна, можешь рассказать о своей семье? Ну у меня семья совсем маленькая. У меня нет братьев и сестер. Моя бабушка живет с нами, значит, в моей семье четыре человека.
Вы живете в доме или в квартире? Мы живем в большой квартире в районе центра города. Мне нравится здесь.
Твои родители работают? Да, они оба работают. Они учителя. Мне повезло, потому что моя бабушка присматривает за мной, когда они на работе. Я часто ей по дому, а днем мы вместе ходим по магазинам.
Каково это быть ребенком в России? Нам, как и большинству детей, очень весело, но зима немного меняет нашу жизнь. Становится очень холодно, поэтому мы не можем играть на улице. Когда идет снег, я катаюсь на лыжах и коньках. Маленькие дети тоже лепят снеговиков и устраивают битвы в снежки.
Вы много времени проводите на улице? В теплую погоду мы много времени проводим на улице. По выходным я люблю кататься на велосипеде с друзьями. Еще мне нравятся поездки за город с родителями.