How green is nuclear energy? - 6 Minute English

Climate change is reaching emergency levels. Some people think the best option is renewables. Others prefer a return to nuclear energy, arguing that it’s clean, green and more reliable that renewables. But after infamous nuclear disasters like those at Chernobyl and Fukushima, questions about its safety remain. Neil and Sam talk about nuclear energy, as they teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
Many of the nuclear power stations built since the 1960s are reaching the end of their planned life, and not everyone thinks they should be replaced. In 2011, one country announced that it would phase out – meaning gradually stop using - nuclear power altogether. But which country?
a) Germany
b) India
c) Brazil
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
renewables
types of energy such as wind and solar power that can be replaced as quickly as they are used

phase (something) out
gradually stop using (something)

vivid memories
memories that produce powerful feelings and strong, clear images in the mind

ingrained
(beliefs) so strongly held that they are difficult to change

unique selling point (or USP)
the feature of something that makes it different from and better than its competitors

casualty
person or thing that suffers as a result of something else happening

To download the audio and a transcript, go to:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-211125

[Cover: Getty Images]

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