📖 GFP English Reading Comprehension Test

Section 1 and Section 2 (Reference)

Section 1: Climate Change and Global Environmental Challenges

A. Climate change represents one of the most significant challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. The term refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities since the mid-20th century. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Earth's average surface temperature has increased by approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). While this may seem like a small change, it has already triggered numerous environmental consequences. The primary driver of this warming is the emission of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are burned for energy. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, creating what scientists call the "greenhouse effect." Since the Industrial Revolution began in the late 18th century, atmospheric CO2 levels have risen from about 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 420 ppm today, the highest concentration in at least 800,000 years.

B. The impacts of climate change are already visible across the globe. Rising temperatures have accelerated the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, contributing to rising sea levels. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that global sea levels have risen by approximately 21-24 centimeters since 1880, with the rate of increase accelerating in recent decades. Coastal cities such as Miami, Bangkok, and Venice are experiencing more frequent flooding, and some small island nations face the existential threat of complete submersion. Beyond sea level rise, climate change has intensified extreme weather events. Heat waves have become more frequent and severe, with Europe experiencing its hottest summer on record in 2023, resulting in over 60,000 heat-related deaths. Hurricanes and typhoons have grown stronger due to warmer ocean temperatures, while changing precipitation patterns have led to both devastating droughts in some regions and catastrophic flooding in others.

C. The environmental consequences extend to ecosystems and biodiversity. Climate change is altering habitats faster than many species can adapt, leading to what scientists describe as the sixth mass extinction event in Earth's history. Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," are particularly vulnerable. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, a phenomenon in which corals expel the symbiotic algae that provide them with food and color. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has experienced five mass bleaching events since 1998, with the most severe occurring in 2016 and 2017, when approximately 50% of the reef's corals died. On land, changing temperature and precipitation patterns are forcing species to migrate toward the poles or to higher elevations. Polar bears in the Arctic face declining sea ice, which they depend on for hunting seals, while mountain species have nowhere left to go as their habitats warm. A 2019 United Nations report warned that one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction, many within decades, partly due to climate change.

D. Agriculture and food security represent another critical area of concern. Climate change affects crop yields through altered growing seasons, increased droughts, floods, and the spread of agricultural pests and diseases into new regions. The IPCC predicts that without significant adaptation measures, crop yields for staple foods like wheat, rice, and maize could decline by 10-25% by 2050 in many regions, even as the global population continues to grow. Water scarcity is becoming increasingly severe. Glaciers and snowpack in mountain regions, which serve as natural water storage systems for billions of people, are shrinking. The Himalayas, which provide water to major rivers like the Ganges, Indus, and Mekong, have lost significant ice mass, threatening water supplies for over one billion people in South Asia. Meanwhile, changing rainfall patterns are intensifying droughts in regions such as the Mediterranean, southern Africa, and the southwestern United States.

E. Addressing climate change requires coordinated global action. The 2015 Paris Agreement, signed by 196 countries, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Achieving these goals requires reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. This necessitates a fundamental transformation of energy systems, moving away from fossil fuels toward renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Many countries have made commitments to achieve carbon neutrality, with the European Union targeting 2050 and China aiming for 2060. Technological innovations, including electric vehicles, energy-efficient buildings, and carbon capture and storage systems, will play crucial roles. However, individual actions also matter: reducing energy consumption, choosing sustainable transportation, minimizing food waste, and supporting environmentally responsible businesses can collectively make a significant difference in combating climate change.

Section 2: The Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Action

"The costs of inaction far exceed the costs of action," declares Dr. Sarah Thompson, an environmental economist at Cambridge University. Her research has quantified the economic impacts of climate change, revealing that without significant intervention, global GDP could decline by 10-23% by 2100. In contrast, investing in climate mitigation and adaptation now would cost approximately 1-2% of global GDP annually—a fraction of the potential losses from unchecked climate change.

The transition to a low-carbon economy presents both challenges and opportunities. While some industries, particularly those dependent on fossil fuels, face disruption, the renewable energy sector is experiencing explosive growth. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that renewable energy employed 12.7 million people worldwide in 2021, a number that continues to rise. Solar panel installation costs have decreased by 90% since 2010, making solar power competitive with or cheaper than fossil fuels in many markets. Wind energy has seen similar cost reductions. Investment in renewable energy reached $366 billion globally in 2022, surpassing fossil fuel investments for the first time. Countries like Denmark generate over 80% of their electricity from renewable sources, demonstrating that a clean energy transition is both technologically and economically feasible.

However, the transition must be managed carefully to ensure social equity. Professor Michael Chen of the London School of Economics studies the concept of "just transition"—ensuring that workers and communities dependent on fossil fuel industries are not left behind. His research shows that without proper support, coal mining regions can experience economic devastation when mines close. Successful transitions require retraining programs, investment in new industries, and social safety nets. Germany's experience provides valuable lessons: the country is phasing out coal while investing €40 billion in affected regions to support economic diversification and worker retraining. Similarly, Spain has created a transition fund to support coal mining communities as they shift to renewable energy and other industries.

Climate change also raises profound issues of climate justice. The countries least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions often suffer the most severe consequences. Small island developing states, which collectively account for less than 1% of global emissions, face existential threats from sea level rise. Sub-Saharan African nations, which contributed minimally to historical emissions, experience severe droughts and food insecurity. Dr. Amara Okafor, director of the African Climate Policy Centre, advocates for climate finance mechanisms to support adaptation in vulnerable countries. The Green Climate Fund, established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aims to mobilize $100 billion annually to help developing nations adapt to climate impacts and transition to clean energy. However, as of 2023, funding has fallen short of this goal, reaching only $83 billion annually.

Youth movements have emerged as powerful forces demanding climate action. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg sparked a global movement when she began her solo climate strike in 2018 at age 15. Her "Fridays for Future" movement inspired millions of young people worldwide to protest inadequate climate policies. In 2019, an estimated 6 million people participated in global climate strikes, making it one of the largest coordinated protests in history. Youth activists argue that current policies burden future generations with consequences of today's inaction. Legal challenges have emerged as well: in 2021, a German court ruled that the country's climate law was partially unconstitutional because it placed too much burden on future generations. This decision forced the government to strengthen its climate targets, demonstrating how youth advocacy can drive policy change and hold governments accountable to future generations.