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Learning English from the News

Upper intermediate level

Earth's climate defences failing

Episode 241016 / 16 Oct 2024

(Photo by Getty Images)
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The story

Scientists have found that the Earth's natural defences against climate change didn't work properly in 2023.

The Earth's oceans and land usually take in about half of all human carbon emissions.

But a study found that last year, the hottest on record, forests, plants and soil took in almost no carbon from the atmosphere.

Scientists are concerned that wildfires and droughts are impacting these natural processes, which are essential for fighting climate change, from working properly.

News headlines

Trees and land absorbed almost no CO2 last year. Is nature’s carbon sink failing?
The Guardian

Carbon sink broken? Last year, trees and land barely absorbed any CO2
Down to Earth

Wildfires weaken global carbon sink, putting climate targets at risk
Meteored

Key words and phrases

absorb
take something in

  • This new mop is great. It absorbs so much water.

carbon sink
something that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and stores it

  • Not many people know that oceans are great carbon sinks.

weaken
make something weak

  • The wind weakened the structure of the house over time.

Next

Try this episode of 6 Minute English about some ways to fight climate change.

Learn more English vocabulary from the news with our News Review archive.

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