Learn English FREE with Trancy & CNN 10 | 2024-09-05 The controversy over windmills in India

Answers: (1) renewable energy, (2) wind turbines, (3) herders, (4) way of life, (5) environment, (6) turbines, (7) future.

Reading Passage for G11 Students (800-1,200 words):

India’s Renewable Energy Ambitions and Local Resistance

India is on an ambitious path to transform its energy landscape, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledging that 50% of the country’s energy needs will be met by renewable sources like solar and wind power by the end of this decade. This is part of India’s commitment to combat climate change and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. In regions such as Jaisalmer, vast wind farms have been established to harness the power of the wind. These towering wind turbines are capable of generating enough electricity to power millions of homes, offering a glimpse of India’s clean energy future.

However, this optimistic vision of a greener India has not been welcomed by everyone. Local herders and residents living near the wind farms have voiced their concerns about the impact these massive wind turbines are having on their environment and traditional way of life. For generations, herders in areas like Jaisalmer have relied on the open land to graze their animals. Now, they claim that the presence of these gigantic machines is disrupting their livelihoods. The turbines are not only noisy, but they also take up large amounts of land, leaving less space for grazing.

In addition, some residents argue that the wind farms are changing the local ecosystem. Wind turbines, they say, are having unforeseen environmental impacts, such as disturbing local wildlife and altering wind patterns. While the renewable energy companies, such as Adani and Suzlon, insist that wind power is crucial for India’s sustainable future, they have not been able to fully address the grievances of the affected communities.

This conflict reflects a broader challenge faced by countries around the world as they transition to renewable energy. While clean energy is essential for addressing global warming, it often comes with local consequences that cannot be ignored. The case in India highlights the tension between national goals for development and the rights and needs of local populations. How can India continue to push forward with its renewable energy ambitions while ensuring that those most affected by the changes are heard and respected? Finding a solution that balances these competing interests will be key to the success of India’s green energy revolution.

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Vocabulary:

1. Renewable energy: Energy generated from natural resources that can be replenished, such as wind or solar power.
   再生能源: 由可以補充的自然資源生成的能源，如風能或太陽能。

2. Turbine: A machine for producing continuous power, in this case, using wind to generate electricity.
   渦輪機: 一種利用風來產生電力的機器。

3. Livelihood: The means of supporting one's life, typically through work or subsistence activities.
   生計: 通常通過工作或自給活動來維持生活的方式。

4. Grievances: Complaints or concerns, especially those perceived as unfair.
   不滿: 對某些事情的不滿或擔憂，特別是那些被認為不公平的。

5. Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment.
   生態系統: 生物群體及其物理環境的集合。

Grammar:

• Complex sentences: These are used to convey detailed ideas and relationships between different parts of a sentence.
  Example: "While the renewable energy companies insist that wind power is crucial, they have not fully addressed the grievances of the affected communities."

• Passive voice: Used to emphasize the action rather than who performed it.
  Example: "The turbines are seen as disruptive by the local herders."

• Subordinate clauses: Added to provide additional information or context.
  Example: "Although renewable energy is important, local concerns must also be considered."

Synonym Match:

Phrase Match:

Gap Fill:

India is working to meet its energy needs through _____________(1) sources, aiming for 50% of its power to come from solar and wind by the _____________(2) of this decade. However, this goal has faced _____________(3) from local communities, particularly herders, who say the large _____________(4) are negatively impacting their _____________(5) and the local _____________(6). Companies such as Adani and Suzlon believe the benefits of clean energy outweigh these concerns, but the _____________(7) are still unresolved.

Answers: (1) renewable energy, (2) end, (3) resistance, (4) turbines, (5) livelihoods, (6) ecosystem, (7) grievances.

Reading Passage for University Students (1,200-2,000 words):

Balancing Renewable Energy Development and Local Livelihoods: The Controversy Over Wind Turbines in India

As the global push towards renewable energy intensifies, India stands at the forefront of this shift, driven by ambitious plans to mitigate the effects of climate change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that by the end of this decade, 50% of India’s energy needs will be met through renewable sources like wind and solar power. This commitment positions India as a key player in the transition to cleaner energy, particularly in regions like Jaisalmer, where vast wind farms have sprung up, showcasing the country’s dedication to harnessing wind energy.

Wind turbines, towering over the desert landscape of Jaisalmer, are capable of generating enough electricity to power millions of homes. They are seen as vital tools in reducing India's reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, renewable energy sources like wind power are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring India’s energy security as the demand for electricity continues to rise.

Yet, the development of these wind farms has not come without controversy. In many parts of rural India, local communities—particularly herders—are raising their voices in opposition to the wind turbines. For generations, these communities have relied on the land for grazing their animals and sustaining their traditional way of life. The introduction of large-scale wind energy infrastructure has disrupted their livelihoods, reducing the amount of open land available for grazing and altering the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.

The herders in Jaisalmer have expressed concerns about the noise pollution caused by the turbines, as well as the visual impact these massive structures have on the once unspoiled desert landscape. Additionally, they argue that the presence of these wind turbines has led to the displacement of wildlife and changes in the microclimate, which further threatens their ability to maintain their way of life.

On the other hand, major corporations like Adani and Suzlon, which own and operate many of these wind turbines, argue that the benefits of renewable energy far outweigh the negative impacts on local communities. They point to the fact that India’s energy needs are growing rapidly, and without renewable sources like wind, the country would have to rely even more heavily on coal and other polluting energy sources. For these companies, the long-term environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy justify the disruption to local communities.

This conflict between local resistance and national energy goals is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by countries around the world as they transition to renewable energy. While the need for clean energy is undeniable, the question of how to balance large-scale energy projects with the needs and rights of local populations remains complex. In India, the debate over wind turbines in Jaisalmer highlights the difficulties of achieving this balance. Local herders, while recognizing the importance of renewable energy, feel that their voices are not being heard, and their concerns are not being adequately addressed.

Finding a path forward will require careful negotiation and compromise. The government and energy companies must engage more effectively with local communities, ensuring that their concerns are taken into account in the planning and development of wind farms. This could involve offering compensation to affected communities, adjusting the locations of wind farms to minimize their impact, or investing in technologies that reduce noise and environmental disruption.

The future of renewable energy in India—and around the world—depends not only on technological advancements and economic considerations but also on the ability to address the social and environmental consequences of these projects. As India strives to become a global leader in clean energy, the lessons learned from the wind farm controversies in places like Jaisalmer will be crucial in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.

Vocabulary:

1. Mitigate: To make less severe or serious.
   減輕: 使問題變得不那麼嚴重或嚴峻。

2. Greenhouse gas emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
   溫室氣體排放: 導致地球暖化的大氣中熱量累積的氣體排放。

3. Infrastructure: The basic physical structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
   基礎設施: 一個社會或企業運作所需的基本物理結構。

4. Displacement: The forced removal of people or wildlife from their usual location.
   遷移: 將人或野生動物從原本的棲息地強行移走。

5. Microclimate: The climate of a small specific area that is different from the surrounding area.
   小氣候: 與周圍地區不同的特定小區域的氣候。

Grammar:

• Passive constructions: Often used to shift the focus to the action itself, rather than the doer.
  Example: "The turbines are seen as disruptive by the local herders."

• Conditional sentences: Used to express possibilities or hypothetical situations.
  Example: "If the concerns of local communities are not addressed, tensions may continue to rise."

• Relative clauses: Provide additional information about a noun.
  Example: "The turbines, which are capable of powering millions of homes, have sparked local resistance."

Synonym Match:

Phrase Match:

Gap Fill:

India's plan to transition to _____________(1) energy includes wind power, which is expected to meet _____________(2) of the country's energy needs by 2030. However, in areas like Jaisalmer, local _____________(3) have emerged, with herders arguing that the large _____________(4) are disrupting their livelihoods and the _____________(5) around them. Despite the _____________(6) of clean energy, the issue of balancing development with local concerns remains unresolved.

Answers: (1) renewable, (2) 50%, (3) resistance, (4) wind turbines, (5) environment, (6) benefits.