English Learning: UN Climate Conference Outcomes

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, did you see the news about the UN climate conference? I swear, it feels like déjà vu every single year!

Bob: Alice, tell me about it! I was just reading an article and nearly choked on my cereal. Are we still ‘phasing down’ coal, not ‘phasing out’?

Alice: Exactly! It’s like they’re playing a game of ‘sustainable’ semantics. We’re past the point of gentle suggestions, aren’t we?

Bob: Absolutely. And the “loss and damage” fund? Great that it’s finally operational, but the pledges seem… ambitious, yet woefully insufficient for the scale of the problem.

Alice: “Woefully insufficient” is the perfect phrase. It’s like bringing a teacup to a wildfire. And what about the actual commitment to stop drilling for more oil and gas? Crickets.

Bob: More like a whole symphony of crickets, Alice. Everyone’s talking about “net-zero targets” by 2050, but the pathway to get there feels less like a road and more like a wishful scribble on a napkin.

Alice: Right? It’s all high-fives and vague promises in the closing statements, then back to business as usual. I sometimes wonder if they genuinely understand the urgency.

Bob: Or if the urgency conflicts too much with immediate economic interests. It’s a classic case of ‘kicking the can down the road’ for the next generation to deal with.

Alice: And we are the next generation! My road-kicking days are strictly limited to actual cans, not global environmental crises.

Bob: Mine too! I heard some delegates were even flying private jets to the conference. Talk about not walking the talk.

Alice: Oh, the irony! That’s almost beyond satire. It’s like going to a fitness convention in a donut suit.

Bob: A donut suit fueled by fossil fuels, probably. So, are you feeling optimistic or just mildly resigned after this one?

Alice: I’m cautiously pessimistic. There are always a few glimmers of hope, but the gap between rhetoric and reality just keeps widening. What about you?

Bob: I’m trying to hold onto a tiny shred of hope, mostly fueled by the incredible work of activists and scientists, not so much by the politicians.

Alice: Agreed. Maybe we should start our own “Action Alice & Bob” climate initiative. Less talk, more actual plant-based snacks!

Bob: I’m in! And definitely more tree-hugging. Metaphorically, of course… unless there’s a really nice oak nearby.

Current Situation

The annual UN Climate Conferences (COPs) aim to bring nations together to address climate change. Recent outcomes have been a mixed bag, often reflecting a complex interplay of political will, economic interests, and scientific urgency. While there have been successes, such as the operationalization of the “loss and damage” fund to support vulnerable nations, progress on critical issues often falls short of what scientists deem necessary to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Debates persist over the “phasing down” versus “phasing out” of fossil fuels, with many agreements stopping short of explicit calls for an immediate end to their use. Nations continue to set “net-zero targets,” typically for mid-century, but concrete plans and sufficient funding to achieve these goals remain a significant challenge. Activists and many climate scientists frequently express frustration over the slow pace of action, highlighting a perceived gap between pledges made at these conferences and the actual implementation of policies. The conferences serve as crucial platforms for dialogue and negotiation, but the tangible impact on global emissions and climate resilience continues to be a subject of intense scrutiny and debate.

Key Phrases

• déjà vu: The feeling of having already experienced the present situation.
  • Example: Every time they announce a new climate pledge, I get a strong sense of déjà vu; it feels like we’ve heard it all before.
• choke on my cereal: An informal expression meaning to be extremely surprised or shocked by something, often humorously.
  • Example: I nearly choked on my cereal when I read how little progress had been made on emission cuts.
• phasing down/out: Gradually reducing the use of something (phasing down) or completely eliminating it (phasing out).
  • Example: Environmental groups are pushing for the phasing out of coal, not just a gradual phasing down.
• loss and damage fund: A financial mechanism agreed upon at UN climate conferences to provide assistance to developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
  • Example: The activation of the loss and damage fund was a major, albeit late, step forward for climate justice.
• net-zero targets: Goals set by countries or companies to balance the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere.
  • Example: Achieving net-zero targets by 2050 will require significant investment in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies.
• kick the can down the road: To postpone making a difficult or unwelcome decision or dealing with a problem.
  • Example: Politicians often seem to kick the can down the road when it comes to unpopular but necessary environmental regulations.
• walk the talk: To do what one says one will do, to match one’s actions with one’s words.
  • Example: Many corporations claim to be environmentally friendly, but few truly walk the talk with their actual business practices.

Grammar Points

1. Modal Verbs for Obligation and Suggestion

Modal verbs like should, must, could, and ought to are used to express obligation, necessity, advice, or suggestion.

• Should / Ought to: Used for advice, recommendation, or what is generally considered right.
  • Example from dialogue: “We should start our own ‘Action Alice & Bob’ climate initiative.” (Suggestion)
  • Another example: Governments should prioritize renewable energy sources.
• Must: Used for strong obligation, necessity, or certainty.
  • Example: Nations must drastically reduce emissions to meet the 1.5-degree target.
• Could: Used for possibility or suggestion.
  • Example: We could explore more innovative solutions for carbon capture.

2. Figurative Language: Idioms and Metaphors

The dialogue uses several idioms and metaphors to make the language more vivid and engaging. Understanding these helps grasp the informal and humorous tone.

• Déjà vu: (Idiom) The feeling of having already experienced something.
  • Example: “It feels like déjà vu every single year!” (Expresses a repeated, unoriginal outcome)
• Choke on my cereal: (Idiom) To be very surprised or shocked.
  • Example: “I nearly choked on my cereal.” (Humorous exaggeration of shock)
• Bringing a teacup to a wildfire: (Metaphor/Idiom) An insufficient response to a large problem.
  • Example: “It’s like bringing a teacup to a wildfire.” (Highlights the inadequacy of the fund)
• Kicking the can down the road: (Idiom) Delaying a decision or problem.
  • Example: “It’s a classic case of ‘kicking the can down the road‘.” (Describes procrastination)
• Walk the talk: (Idiom) To act in a way that matches your words.
  • Example: “Talk about not walking the talk.” (Criticizes hypocrisy)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct key phrase from the list provided.

(déjà vu, choke on my cereal, phasing out, loss and damage fund, net-zero targets, kick the can down the road, walk the talk)

1. Many environmentalists argue that simply _____ coal is not enough; we need complete abandonment.
2. When I heard the new policy, I had a strong sense of _____ ; it felt like a recycled idea.
3. The announcement of the _____ was a significant step, but funding remains a concern.
4. If countries don’t start to truly _____ their environmental promises, public trust will erode completely.
5. It’s frustrating when politicians just _____ instead of making tough decisions now.
6. The company set ambitious _____ by 2040, but their current practices don’t seem to align.
7. I almost _____ when I saw the latest figures on plastic pollution.

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the following sentences using a more appropriate modal verb (must, should, could).

1. It is very important for nations to reduce their carbon emissions significantly.
   • Nations _____ reduce their carbon emissions significantly.
2. I advise you to consider more eco-friendly transportation options.
   • You _____ consider more eco-friendly transportation options.
3. There is a possibility that we find innovative solutions to climate change.
   • We _____ find innovative solutions to climate change.
4. It is absolutely necessary for us to protect endangered species.
   • We _____ protect endangered species.

Exercise 3: Express Yourself!

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences, using at least one key phrase or modal verb from the lessons.

1. What is your general feeling about the outcomes of recent climate conferences?
2. Do you think individuals or governments have a greater responsibility to address climate change?
3. What is one action you believe everyone should take to help the environment?

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. phasing out
2. déjà vu
3. loss and damage fund
4. walk the talk
5. kick the can down the road
6. net-zero targets
7. choked on my cereal

Exercise 2:

1. Nations must reduce their carbon emissions significantly.
2. You should consider more eco-friendly transportation options.
3. We could find innovative solutions to climate change.
4. We must protect endangered species.

Exercise 3:

(Answers will vary, examples below)

1. I often feel a sense of déjà vu after reading about climate conferences. It seems like they frequently kick the can down the road on critical decisions, which is frustrating.
2. I think governments must take greater responsibility because they have the power to implement large-scale changes. However, individuals should also do their part.
3. Everyone should try to reduce their plastic consumption. We could also support businesses that genuinely walk the talk on environmental protection.