Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think the term “polluter pay” means, and how do you think it could be relevant to environmental issues?
- Can you speculate on the potential benefits and challenges associated with implementing a “polluter pay” system to address environmental problems?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- collapse /kuh-LAPS/
- manufacture /man-yuh-FAK-cher/
- consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer /
- concept /KON-sept /
- investor /uhn-VEH-stuh/
[noun] – to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support
The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the heavy truck.
[verb] – to produce goods in large numbers, usually in a factory using machines
The company plans to manufacture a new line of eco-friendly products to meet growing consumer demand.
[noun] – a person who buys goods or services for their own use
As a responsible consumer, she always checks product labels for environmentally friendly certifications before making a purchase.
[noun] – a principle or idea
The concept of renewable energy is gaining widespread acceptance as people become more conscious of environmental sustainability.
[noun] – a person who puts money into something in order to make a profit or get an advantage
The savvy investor diversified their portfolio to include renewable energy stocks in anticipation of the industry’s future growth.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In 2024, companies are on the verge of experiencing the repercussions of environmental pollution due to the growing significance of the “polluter pays” doctrine. Following the tragic Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh a decade ago, where over 1,000 underpaid workers lost their lives, companies like Shein, Boohoo, and Primark continue to manufacture inexpensive polyester clothing, contributing to landfill waste. The yearly accumulation of plastic waste, such as Coca-Cola bottles and Mars wrappers, surpasses 350 million metric tons. The approaching year is anticipated to witness a stringent crackdown on fossil fuel-based waste, challenging the prevalent use of plastic across various sectors, including food products and fashion.
Despite its perceived affordability, plastic becomes ten times more expensive when factoring in environmental costs like waste management and ecosystem harm. The annual cost burden, exceeding $3 trillion, falls on governments and consumers, not the plastic-producing companies, as revealed by the World Wildlife Fund. Proposed bills in California and the European Union suggest that textile and fashion companies must manage their products’ end-of-life responsibly or face waste management fees. This aligns with the “extended producer responsibility” concept, pivotal to a United Nations treaty aiming to eliminate plastic pollution by 2024. While the idea of holding polluters accountable gains traction, the full financial impact on companies and investors remains uncertain, especially given the urgent need to address climate change and environmental degradation.
Despite its perceived affordability, plastic becomes ten times more expensive when factoring in environmental costs like waste management and ecosystem harm. The annual cost burden, exceeding $3 trillion, falls on governments and consumers, not the plastic-producing companies, as revealed by the World Wildlife Fund. Proposed bills in California and the European Union suggest that textile and fashion companies must manage their products’ end-of-life responsibly or face waste management fees. This aligns with the “extended producer responsibility” concept, pivotal to a United Nations treaty aiming to eliminate plastic pollution by 2024. While the idea of holding polluters accountable gains traction, the full financial impact on companies and investors remains uncertain, especially given the urgent need to address climate change and environmental degradation.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the “polluter pays” doctrine, and why are companies expected to face its repercussions in 2024?
- How does the tragic Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh connect to the continued manufacturing practices of companies like Shein, Boohoo, and Primark?
- Why is there an anticipated crackdown on fossil fuel-based waste in the upcoming year, and how might it impact the use of plastic in different industries?
- Despite its perceived affordability, why does plastic become ten times more expensive when considering environmental costs, and who bears the annual cost burden, according to the World Wildlife Fund?
- What is the proposed solution for textile and fashion companies in California and the European Union regarding their products’ end-of-life, and how does it relate to the concept of “extended producer responsibility” mentioned in the article?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever come across a situation where you witnessed environmental pollution in your community? If yes, could you share your experience and how it made you feel? If not, do you think environmental pollution is a significant issue in your area?
- Have you ever thought about the environmental impact of the products you use daily, such as clothing or plastic items? If yes, how has this awareness influenced your choices? If not, would you consider making more environmentally conscious choices in the future?
- Do you think the “polluter pays” doctrine is a necessary and effective approach to addressing environmental issues?
- How might the proposed bills in California and the European Union, requiring textile and fashion companies to manage their products’ end-of-life responsibly or face waste management fees, impact the industry and the environment?
- Considering the potential financial impact on companies and investors, do you think the “extended producer responsibility” concept, as mentioned in the article, is a feasible and fair solution to eliminate plastic pollution by 2024? Why or why not?