IELTS Speaking Part 3: Who Is Responsible for Climate Change?

Let's move on to discuss the environment more broadly.

我们接着更广泛地讨论一下环境问题。

To what extent are individuals responsible for climate change?

个人在多大程度上应对气候变化负责？

Ooh, that's a meaty one. Can I start with a caveat?

哇，这个问题很有分量。我可以先说明一个前提吗？

Of course, go ahead.

当然，请讲。

I think the individual versus systemic debate is somewhat misleading.

我认为个人与系统之争在一定程度上具有误导性。

The idea of a personal carbon footprint was popularised by an oil company.

个人碳足迹的概念是由一家石油公司推广开来的。

Really? I wasn't aware of that.

真的吗？我之前不知道这件事。

Yes, and it conveniently shifted the blame onto consumers!

是的，而且还很方便地把责任推给了消费者！

So you'd absolve individuals entirely?

那么您是要完全免除个人的责任吗？

No, not entirely. That would be a cop-out.

不，也不是完全免除。那是在推卸责任。

Our choices matter, but mostly in aggregate.

我们的选择很重要，但主要是在整体上才有意义。

When enough people change, markets and politicians follow suit.

当足够多的人做出改变，市场和政客也会随之跟进。

Can you give an example of that happening?

您能举一个这种情况发生的例子吗？

Well... take the shift towards plant-based diets.

嗯……就拿向植物性饮食的转变来说吧。

Ten years ago, vegan options were a niche curiosity.

十年前，纯素食选择还只是小众的新鲜事物。

Now supermarkets stock entire aisles of them!

现在超市里整条货架通道摆的都是这类产品！

That's a compelling illustration.

这是个很有说服力的例子。

Some argue that wealthy nations should bear most of the cost.

有人认为，富裕国家应该承担大部分成本。

Would you agree with that?

您同意这种说法吗？

Um, broadly, yes,

嗯，大体上同意，

since they've been emitting for far longer.

因为它们排放的时间要长得多。

It would be rather hypocritical to lecture developing countries now.

现在再去教训发展中国家，未免有些虚伪。

Are you optimistic about the future, on the whole?

总的来说，您对未来乐观吗？

Honestly? It depends what I've read that morning.

说实话？要看我那天早上读了什么。

The headlines can be genuinely alarming.

新闻标题有时真的令人担忧。

But renewable energy is getting cheaper astonishingly fast!

但可再生能源正以惊人的速度变得越来越便宜！

Thank you, that brings the test to a close.

谢谢，考试到此结束。

Oh, is that it? Thank you so much!

哦，这就结束了吗？非常感谢！

You're welcome. Have a good afternoon.

不客气。祝您下午愉快。