Vocabulary:
- mandate /MAN-deyt/
- debar /dih-BAHR/
- prohibit /proh-HIB-it/
- exclude /ik-SKLOOD/
- noxious /NOK-shuhs/
[verb] to order someone to do something
The newly elected mayor mandated a new law that would improve people’s security.
[verb] to stop someone from doing something by law or by official agreement
The coast guards debar foreigners from entering the country’s sea territory.
[verb] to officially refuse to allow something
The citizens are protesting about the new law that prohibits people from smoking in public areas.
[verb] to keep out or omit (something or someone)
We have to exclude some of the processes that are not beneficial to the company.
[adjective] harmful and unpleasant
The employees evacuated yesterday due to the noxious smell inside the building.
Japan plans to mandate the charge for plastic shopping bags at supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, and department stores. According to a report, this would debar people from producing plastic waste that could cause marine pollution. Environment Minister Yoshiaki Harada said that his ministry aims to implement a new law prohibiting the usage of single-use plastic bags for free. “The proportion of plastic bags among plastic waste is not big, but charging would be symbolic”, he added. The ministry asks retailers to charge up to 10 yen for each plastic bag. The revenues collected are then expected to be used in ecological measures such as afforestation and spreading awareness on environmental issues.
The ministry also considers to expand the targeted retailers to small and medium-sized business operators and to exclude biodegradable plastic bags from the ban. A report added that Japan produces the largest amount of plastic waste per capita following the United States. It is estimated that there are over 8 million tons of plastic waste that flow into the oceans every year which causes microplastics pollution. Moreover, the noxious chemicals carried by some plastics have a bad effect on marine life.
The ministry also considers to expand the targeted retailers to small and medium-sized business operators and to exclude biodegradable plastic bags from the ban. A report added that Japan produces the largest amount of plastic waste per capita following the United States. It is estimated that there are over 8 million tons of plastic waste that flow into the oceans every year which causes microplastics pollution. Moreover, the noxious chemicals carried by some plastics have a bad effect on marine life.
True or False:
- Japan officially bans single-use plastics.
- Yoshiaki Harada is the health minister of Japan.
- The retailers will soon charge 15 yen for each plastic bag.
- Japan produces the smallest amount of plastic waste per capita in the whole world.
- The harmful chemicals found on plastics are good for sea animals.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion on Japan’s decision to ban free plastic bags?
- Do you think the planned plastic charge is reasonable? Why or why not?
- In your own opinion, what do you think is the major cause of marine pollution?
- What can you say about environmental problems? Explain your answer.
- Do you think humans consciously or unconsciously destroy the environment? Explain your answer.
Express Your Opinion:
- “Raising awareness on the most pressing environmental issues of our time is more important than ever.” – Leonardo DiCaprio
- Waste segregation is the best way to conserve our environment.
- “We are being choked to death by the amount of plastic that we throw away. It’s killing our oceans. It’s entering into our bodies in the fish we eat.” – Kevin Bacon