World’s CO2 Emissions Increased Last Year

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. emission (n.) [ih-mish-uh n] –a substance that is released after a process is completed

Example: Emissions from vehicles can be harmful to the lungs.

2.  ton (n.) [tuhn] –  unit of measurement that is equal to 2000 pounds or 907 kilograms.

Example:  An average car weighs about 1.2 tons.

3. dip (v.) [dip] – to go down or decrease for only a short period of time

Example: Temperature in the atmosphere dipped after the storm passed.

4. pick up (phrasal v.) [pik-uhp] – to increase or rise faster

Example: The car picked up speed after reaching the highway.  

5. renewal (n.) [ri-noo-uh l, -nyoo-] – the act of making something new again

Example: Renewal of driver’s license is done every few years.

Article
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German-based Renewable Energy Industry Institute (IWR) recently studied worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and revealed the top greenhouse gas-producing countries. The IWR used British energy company BP’s data on worldwide fuel consumption. They learned that last year, 34 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were produced globally.  The emissions were 800 million tons more than emissions in 2010. In 1990, CO2 emissions were only at 22.7 billion tons. The amount of emissions has been growing since. It dipped in 2009 following the global economic crisis, but it picked up again the next year. IWR Director Norbert Allnoch warned that if the trend continues, CO2 emissions could increase to 40 billion tons by 2020. IWR reported that 2011’s top greenhouse gas-producing countries were China (8.9 billion tons), USA (6 billion tons), India (1.8 billion tons), Japan (1.3 billion tons) and Germany (804 million tons). Of the top ten countries on the list, only the United States, Russia and Germany managed to reduce their emissions from the year earlier. IWR’s study was released before the yearly United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to be held from November 26 to December 7 in Doha, Qatar. The main topic for this event will be the renewal of agreements under the Kyoto Protocol, which contains international plans to reduce greenhouse gases. On December 31, some agreed CO2 limits under the Kyoto Protocol will already end. A new global agreement on environment protection could be made in 2015.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·          Why is it important to know how much greenhouse gas a country produces?

·          Do you think it is difficult for a country to reduce its greenhouse gases? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         How are people affected by pollution in their country?

·         How can people prevent or lessen pollution in the environment?

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Mom Tries to Lose Pregnancy Weight like a Celebrity

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. in the limelight (idiom) [lahym-lahyt] – at the center of people’s attention

Example: The students were in the limelight after winning the international contest.

2. tabloid (n.) [tab-loid] – a smaller form of newspaper, usually containing shorter news articles

Example: He prefers reading a regular newspaper rather than a tabloid.

3. endorser (n.) [en-dawr-ser] – someone who strongly approves, supports or promotes a product

Example: Celebrity endorsers of the new fashion brand wore the designer’s clothes.

4. session (n.) [sesh-uh n] – a meeting in which people perform a certain activity

Example: We attended a fitness session to learn the benefits of exercise.

5. prescribe (v.) [pri-skrahyb] – to give official order or permission for one person to use  a particular medicine

Example: The doctor prescribed a cough medicine to his patient.

Article
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In the US, celebrity moms have been in the limelight lately for their success or failure to lose weight after pregnancy. The topic has become so popular that Tracie Egan Morrissey, a 33-year-old mother and blogger, wanted to prove whether celebrities’ weight loss methods are really effective. As an experiment, Morrissey, who had to lose 80 pounds (36.3 kg) of pregnancy weight, decided to follow celebrities’ weight-loss plans that she had read about in tabloids. First, she tried a meal delivery plan wherein five calorie-controlled meals were delivered to her daily for $1,282.33 per month. She was able to lose 15 pounds through this program, but she stopped it after a month because it was too expensive. She then subscribed to Weight Watchers, a weight-loss program with many celebrity endorsers, for $56.86 for 2 months while spending $300 separately on frozen meals.  The program, however, did not work well for her. Two months after giving birth, she started exercise sessions in a gym with a personal trainer, which cost her $5,160 for 11 months. In total, she spent $7,800 on the different methods she tried, including weight loss pills prescribed by a doctor. After 13 months, she is almost at her goal weight. But she realized that losing weight was not as easy as how celebrities make it seem. Unlike celebrities, Morrissey has a full-time job and cannot afford exercising with a trainer every day. She believes celebrities do more than what is written in tabloids, and they have more money and time for weight-loss training and programs.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Why do you think many people feel pressured to look as good as celebrities?

·         Do you think that only people with a lot of money can look good? What else can people do to keep a good appearance?

Discussion B

·         Do you think a person’s weight or general appearance is important? Why or why not?

·         What can you say about those people who always worry about their weight or looks?

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India and Canada Decide on Terms of Nuclear Deal

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.  

1. terms and conditions (n.) [turms][and][kuh n-dish-uh ns] – part of an agreement or contract which states the rules and requirements that must be followed by both parties

Example: Before signing a contract, one must review the terms and conditions very carefully.

2. nuclear (adj.) [noo-klee-er, nyoo-] – coming from energy produced by the splitting or joining of atoms

Example: Most of their energy sources come from nuclear power plants.

3. rapid (adj.) [rap-id] – happening at a fast rate or pace

Example: The young Internet company experienced rapid growth in a year.

4. secure (v.) [si-kyoo r] – to acquire or get possession of something

Example: The student needs to secure some school supplies for their group’s project.

5. negotiation (n.) [ni-goh-shee-ey-shuh n, -see-] – a discussion to form an agreement or decision

Example: The finance department is responsible for negotiations with local and international suppliers.

Article
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India and Canada have finally decided on the terms and conditions of a nuclear power deal that they have been discussing since 2010. The deal, once implemented, will help India with its growing energy needs. Over the past years, India has been experiencing rapid economic growth, leading to an increased demand for energy in the country. India is looking into using more nuclear energy to meet the energy needs. The country is planning to build over 30 nuclear reactors, devices that produce electricity, within the next years. In addition, the country is planning to get1/4 (one-fourth) of its electricity from nuclear energy. To reach the goal, India is looking for possible sources of uranium, a chemical used as fuel for nuclear reactors. Canada has large amounts of uranium, but stopped supplying India with uranium exports in 1976. With the new deal, however, India can soon secure large quantities of high quality uranium from Canada to support its nuclear power program. Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh both agree that Canada would be an important supplier to India. Harper added that the nuclear deal with India is an important economic opportunity that could create more jobs in the Canadian trade industry. Aside from making a deal with Canada, India is making negotiations with Australia, which holds around 40% of world’s uranium. South Korea has also agreed to export nuclear energy technology to India.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.   

Discussion A

·         In your opinion, how important is nuclear energy for a country with a booming economy like India?

·         Would you say that the use of nuclear energy is a sign of progress? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         Do you agree with the use of nuclear energy? Why or why not?

·         Why do you think many countries still want to use nuclear energy despite its dangers and risks?

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Hospital Provides Art Therapy to Help Young Cancer Patients

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. treatment (n.) [treet-muh nt]- (in medicine) the use of drugs, therapy and other means to cure illness

Example:  Treatment for cancer takes a long time.

2. lay a guilt trip on (idiom) [ley][a][gilt][trip][on] – to force someone to feel sad, guilty or responsible for something

Example: His girlfriend laid a guilt trip on him because he was late for their date.

3. soothe (v.) [sooth] – to calm down and relax someone

Example: The cool colors of blue and green soothed her tired eyes.


4. outlet (n.) [out-let, -lit] – an activity that allows a person to express his or her feelings

Example: Music is his outlet for his stress from work.


5. transfusion (n.) [trans-fyoo-zhuh n] - a medical process in which blood is transferred directly into a person's blood vessels

Example: Patients who lose blood during major surgeries need blood transfusions.

Article
Read the text below.

Georgetown Hospital's Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington is using art therapy to make treatment less stressful for child patients. Tracy Councill, an art therapist, founded the art therapy program in the hospital two decades ago. The program, called “Tracy's Kids,” has also inspired other hospitals in the US to start their own art therapy programs. The children’s clinic in Lombardi Center is bright and colorful, with drawings on the ceilings. The designs help children feel less scared. Ten-year-old Alesia Allen from Russia started coming to the center this year. Larry Allen, her father, said Alesia was afraid of hospitals because of her experiences in Russia. Alesia was tied to a bed during cancer treatments there, and the staff laid a guilt trip on her by saying it was her fault that she had cancer. When she started treatments in America, art therapy helped soothe her. According to Councill, art can be an outlet for children’s emotions. Some artworks show happy images, while many others show monsters. Councill believes that the monster artworks are expressions of the children's anger for being sick. They do not want to make their parents sad. Akele Carpentier, another patient, visits the hospital twice a week. He makes small models using cardboard and clay while receiving transfusions. Councill says the therapy helps children imagine a fantasy world far away from the hospital. Dr. Aziza Shad from the hospital says art therapy has helped her care for her patients. She says children who have more emotional support stay for a shorter time at the hospital, and they usually do much better after treatments.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Do you think that art therapy will also appeal to adult patients? Why or why not?

·         What else can hospitals and clinics do to make their patients feel happier and more comfortable?

Discussion B

·         How can art make people feel better?

·         What kind of art (e.g., music, drawings, etc.) do you like the most? Why?

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