Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- rewilding / riˈwaɪl dɪŋ / (n.) – the process of bringing back plants and animals to an area where they used to live and protecting their natural environment
Example:The government supports rewilding projects to help damaged forests grow back and bring balance to the ecosystem.
- blueprint / ˈbluˌprɪnt / (n.) – a complete plan or design that shows how to make or do something
Example:The city’s blueprint for reducing pollution includes planting more trees and encouraging the use of bikes.
- thriving / ˈθraɪ vɪŋ / (adj.) – describing something that is growing, developing, or being successful
Example:Jerry’s thriving garden is filled with healthy vegetables and colorful flowers.
- follow suit / ˈfɒl oʊ sut / (idiom) – to do the same thing as someone else, especially after he/she has done it
Example:The city’s decision to ban single-use plastics and use eco-friendly packaging has inspired other cities to follow suit.
- regenerate / rɪˈdʒɛn əˌreɪt / (v.) – to improve or give new life to a place, system, or area, especially by making it more active, successful, or productive
Example:The project aims to regenerate the land by making it more useful and healthier through better farming techniques.
Article
Read the text below.
Britain’s biggest car factory is surrounded by wind turbines, solar panels and nature. At Nissan’s Sunderland plant, the Japanese car maker says that cutting-edge engineering is meeting a growing commitment to sustainability and decarbonization.
Since installing its first wind turbines in 2005, Nissan has steadily increased its reliance on renewable energy. Taking center stage are ten wind turbines and over 37,000 solar panels, which generate 20% of the plant’s electricity needs.
And now, the Japanese carmaker has completed the development of a new rewilding project to improve biodiversity in surrounding marshlands.
These initiatives form part of Nissan’s EV36Zero blueprint, an ambitious £3 billion project combining electric vehicle production, renewable energy, and next-generation battery technology. The goal is to eventually create a hub for sustainable automotive manufacturing.
The rewilding project, completed in just over a year in partnership with Atrato Partners, has turned marshland into a biodiversity haven.
Invasive shrubs were removed, habitats revitalized, and a viewing hide was built for monitoring wildlife. Animals spotted here include badgers, deer, water voles, and breeding birds of prey, such as kestrels and buzzards. Plant species like bee orchids and cowslips are also thriving.
Andy Barker, Infrastructure Manager at Nissan, is hopeful the project will encourage other automotive manufacturers to follow suit in wider industrial sustainability efforts.
Barker says, “We knew that the land was basically unutilized, so this is basically our plan to regenerate that. The urban regeneration is something that is really active in the UK at the moment, and we’ve seen the ideal opportunity to participate in that. So, we’d like to think, yes, we can be a leader for other automotive manufacturers or industry leaders to follow.”
Tim Pollard, Group Editorial Director, Bauer Media thinks the company’s environmental ambitions are a welcome start to its decarbonization plans.
Pollard says, “And I think the rewilding projects underline Nissan’s commitment to sustainability. This is the company, one of the biggest carmakers in the world, who is basically on a journey towards decarbonizing totally by 2050.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Nissan’s rewilding project transformed unutilized marshland into a haven for plants and animals. How important do you think it is for companies to protect nature around their factories? In your opinion, should businesses, especially big manufacturers, invest in rewilding projects even if they are expensive? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Some see Nissan’s efforts as a strong commitment to the environment. Do you trust big companies when they talk about sustainability? Why or why not? How do you think companies can show they are serious about helping the environment? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Nissan hopes its sustainable efforts inspire other carmakers to follow suit. Do you think many companies will follow Nissan’s example anytime soon? Why or why not? What do you think would encourage companies to level up their decarbonization plans (ex. consumers’ preference for sustainable production, cost of production)? Discuss.
- Nissan aims to completely decarbonize its operations by 2050. Do you think companies have more power than individuals to fight climate change? Why or why not? What do you think about companies that still don’t have decarbonization plans today? Discuss.
