原田英語の英検二次面接 ぜんぶ攻略くん
AI採点

英検1級 二次 予想トピック 4 ・ 🌱 環境・エネルギー ・ Can ~?

Can individual actions make a real difference in the fight against climate change?

個人の行動は、気候変動との闘いに本当に違いをもたらせるか。

このトピックを選ぶべき人

自分の生活の具体例を話しやすく、個人と社会のつながりで語れる人向け。

骨組み理由3つ（どちらの立場でも話せる）

賛成（Yes）で話すなら

I believe individual actions can make a real difference, because millions of small choices add up and push companies and governments to change.

  1. adding upOne person's actions may seem small, but when millions of people change their habits, the impact becomes significant. For example, if many households switch to energy-efficient appliances, national electricity demand can fall noticeably.
  2. market pressureConsumer choices send a message to companies. Growing demand for plant-based food and electric vehicles has encouraged many firms to invest in these products.
  3. political influenceIndividuals can also act as voters and citizens. Many young people around the world have joined climate protests, and this has helped put the issue high on political agendas.

反対（No）で話すなら

I don't think individual actions alone can make a real difference, because the main sources of emissions are industries and energy systems that individuals cannot control.

  1. scale of industryMost emissions come from power plants, steelmaking, and transportation systems. Turning off the lights at home cannot compare with changing how electricity is produced.
  2. limited choicesPeople can only choose from the options available to them. In rural areas without good public transportation, for example, many people have no choice but to drive.
  3. shifting responsibilityFocusing too much on personal responsibility can let governments and large companies avoid their own duties. The idea of a personal carbon footprint is even said to have been popularized by an oil company's advertising campaign.

想定質疑面接委員はこう突っ込んでくる

QIsn't it unfair to ask individuals to change when big companies pollute much more?

I agree that companies have a bigger responsibility. Admittedly, one person's choices cannot match the emissions of a large factory. However, companies respond to what consumers want and buy. So I still think individual choices and corporate responsibility are connected, and both are necessary.

Q：大企業の方がずっと多く汚染しているのに、個人に変化を求めるのは不公平では。
A：企業の責任の方が大きいことには同意します。確かに、1人の選択は大きな工場の排出量にはかないません。しかし、企業は消費者が求めて買うものに応えて動きます。ですから、個人の選択と企業の責任はつながっていて、両方が必要だと、やはり思います。

QWhat actions do you personally take?

I try to use public transportation and avoid wasting food. These may be small steps, but they also make me more aware of the issue. I think that awareness matters when I vote or make bigger decisions, such as buying a car.

Q：あなた自身はどんな行動をとっていますか。
A：公共交通を使い、食べ物を無駄にしないようにしています。小さな一歩かもしれませんが、この問題を意識するきっかけにもなっています。その意識は、投票するときや、車を買うといった大きな決断をするときに大切だと思います。

QHow can governments encourage people to change their behavior?

Financial incentives are probably the most effective tool. For example, subsidies for solar panels or energy-efficient homes make green choices more affordable. Clear information, such as energy labels on products, can also help people make better decisions.

Q：政府は人々の行動の変化をどう促せますか。
A：おそらく最も効果的なのは、お金の面での動機づけです。例えば、太陽光パネルや省エネ住宅への補助金があれば、環境にやさしい選択がしやすくなります。製品の省エネラベルのような分かりやすい情報も、よりよい判断の助けになります。

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