Unit 43: Climate Policy & International Agreements

Part 1 — Word formation

Instructions: Read the text below. Use the word in CAPITALS at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. For some lines, no word is needed.

The global response to climate change requires unprecedented levels of international cooperation. While some nations have made significant progress, the (1) __ of current environmental targets remains a major concern for scientists. Although many treaties have been signed, the (2) __ of these agreements often lacks the legal weight necessary to ensure compliance.

Furthermore, the (3) __ of fossil fuels continues to drive global temperature rises, despite the growing (4) __ of renewable energy technologies. Policy makers face the difficult task of balancing economic growth with environmental (5) ___.

The (6) __ of new legislation can often lead to political friction, especially when it affects major industries. However, without (7) __ action, the damage to our ecosystems may become (8) ___.

1. ACHIEVE
2. ENFORCE
3. DEPEND
4. AVAILABLE
5. SUSTAIN
6. IMPLEMENT
7. DECISIVE
8. REVERSE

Part 2 — Key word transformations

Instructions: Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given. 1. It is widely believed that the government must act now to prevent further damage. | CONSIDERED The government _____ to prevent further damage. 2. "I didn't realize that the treaty would be so difficult to ratify," said the diplomat. | REGRET | THAT The diplomat ____ the treaty would be so difficult to ratify. 3. The sudden increase in carbon emissions surprised many environmentalists. | WAS | BY Many environmentalists _____ in carbon emissions. 4. It is very likely that the new regulations will be successful. | LIKELIHOOD | THERE ____ that the new regulations will be successful. 5. Although the summit was successful, it did not solve all the problems. | SUCH | THAT The summit _____ all the problems to be solved. 6. We can only stop global warming if we reduce our reliance on coal. | DEPENDS | REDUCING The ability to stop global warming _____ on coal.

Answer key

1. achievement
2. enforcement
3. dependence
4. availability
5. sustainability
6. implementation
7. decisive
8. irreversible
9. is considered to be necessary
10. expressed regret that
11. were surprised by the sudden increase
12. There is a likelihood
13. was not such that all
14. depends on reducing our reliance