Greetings, students. Now that you’re in Year 3 of your American English studies, you will be able to read, and listen to one of VOA’s “Science and Technology” articles, which explore new developments in science, space exploration, environment and technology in the United States of America as well as in countries all over the world. You are encouraged to carefully read the article and the vocabulary words, as well as listen to the article. Finally, you are invited to share what you learned by discussing why this article is important and meaningful in the comments section below.
Directions: Read the article and study the vocabulary below.
Directions: Listen to the audio recording of the article.
Directions: Share your insights about why this article is meaningful and important by writing in the comments section below.
About the Author
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Lesson 3.51.4: Year 3
Science @ Tecnology
” Australia protests UN Plan to List, ‘Great Barrier Reef systems, ‘In Danger.’
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system located in the coral Sea off the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. This is a remarkable structure of nature.
The Great Barrier Reef covers about 344,000 square kilometers of area on Australia’s
northeast coast. It contains about 3,000 reefs, natural structures made by very small animals
called corals. The reef also includes more than 900 islands. The reef has been listed as a ‘World
Heritage ‘site since 1981.
Despite its beauty and splendor, the reef faces significant threats like Enviornmental challenges. That’s why, the U.N.’s Educational scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) proposed that the great barrier reef be added to list of World Heritage in danger. Australian government has criticized and did not agree with the U.N plan, they were surprised and sadden at the proposal. They thought, there were politics behind it.
Environment Minister, Susan Ley said that she and Foreign Minister Marise Payne had called UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to officially protest the proposed listing.
Some environmental groups praised the U.N. proposal. Imogen Zeth oven is environmental
advisor for the Australian Marine Conservation Society. She told The Associated Press she
welcomed the committee’s recognition that “Australia hasn’t done enough on climate change
to protect the future of the reef.”
In 2014, Australia was warned that an “in danger” listing was being considered. The country
had time to react by developing a long-term plan — called the Reef 2050 Plan — to improve
the reef’s health.
But the committee said this week that that plan “requires stronger and clearer” steps toward
fighting the effects of climate change,