BBC Learning English - Real Easy English: Talking about climate change

Episode 260710 / 10 Jul 2026

Real conversation in easy English - Becca and Neil talk about how long-term weather patterns are shifting. Learn to talk about fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, renewable energy and conservation. Perfect for elementary learners who want natural English with clear explanations.

核心词汇 Vocabulary

WordEnglish DefinitionChinese DefinitionSource
climate changethe change in weather over a long period of time气候变化（长期天气模式的改变）Neil & Becca
fossil fuelssubstances like coal, oil and gas dug up from earth and burnt for energy化石燃料（煤、石油、天然气等）Neil & Becca
greenhouse gasesgases that trap heat energy within Earth’s atmosphere温室气体（锁住热量的气体）Becca
conservationprotection of something from loss or waste保护；节约（防止损失或浪费）Neil
energy conservationnot using more energy than you need节约能源Neil
conserve waterdo not use more water than you need节约用水Neil & Becca
renewable energyenergy from things that won’t run out easily, like wind, sun, water可再生能源（风能、太阳能、水能等）Becca
carbon dioxide / CO2a greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels二氧化碳Neil
extreme weatherunusual, severe weather (hottest, wettest, windiest)极端天气Neil
atmospherethe layer of gases around the Earth大气层Becca
trapkeep something in, prevent it from escaping困住；锁住Becca: “trap the sun’s heat”
run outbe used up completely用完；耗尽Becca: “won’t run out”

对话要点 Transcript Highlights

1. 气候变化 Climate Change

Neil: “Climate change is the change in weather over a long period of time. And when we talk about climate change now, we’re talking mainly about the world getting hotter.”

Becca: “Experts say that this could be because of greenhouse gases.”

解析：

  • climate change = 长期天气变化，现多指全球变暖
  • over a long period of time = 在很长一段时间内（固定搭配）

2. 温室气体 Greenhouse Gases

Becca: "Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide for example, they stay in the Earth’s atmosphere and they trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, meaning that the Earth gets hotter and hotter."

Neil: “And so, one thing that scientists say is that we should burn fewer fossil fuels.”

解析：

  • trap = 困住、锁住（温室效应核心动词）
  • stay in the atmosphere = 停留在大气层中

3. 化石燃料 Fossil Fuels

Neil: "Fossil fuels are things like oil and gas that come from the Earth. And when you burn them, they create carbon dioxide – CO2."

解析：

  • come from the Earth = 来自地球（地下开采）
  • burn = 燃烧（释放 CO2）

4. 可再生能源 Renewable Energy

Becca: “A lot of people are using renewable energy. So, renewable energy is energy that comes from things like the wind or from the sun that aren’t likely to run out.”

解析：

  • run out = 用完、耗尽（ phrasal verb 重点）
  • aren’t likely to = 不大可能（表概率）

5. 节约能源与水 Energy & Water Conservation

Neil: "Energy conservation is also really important… that means not using too much energy, especially if you don’t really need to… And we can also talk about water conservation and that means not using too much water."

Becca: “OK. So, like when I turn the tap off when I brush my teeth.”

解析：

  • conservation = 保护、节约（名词）
  • conserve = 节约、保护（动词）
  • turn the tap off = 关水龙头（实用口语）

6. 词汇回顾 Recap

Neil: "Fossil fuels are things like oil, gas and coal, which we burn to get energy. And when we burn them, they release carbon into the atmosphere."

Becca: “Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that we call greenhouse gases. Now, greenhouse gases are those gases that keep the heat inside the Earth’s atmosphere.”

Neil: “We also heard energy conservation, and that means using less energy. Conservation means protecting something, so you can also conserve water and that means not using too much water if you don’t have to.”

Becca: “And lastly, renewable energy, and this is the energy that we can make from things like the wind, the sun or the movement of water.”

语言特点 Language Features

一般现在时 Present Simple (事实/习惯)

  • “Climate change is the change in weather…”
  • “Greenhouse gases stay in the Earth’s atmosphere…”
  • “They trap the sun’s heat…”
  • “Fossil fuels come from the Earth.”

情态动词 Modal Verbs (建议/可能性)

  • “We should burn fewer fossil fuels.”
  • “That means not using too much energy.”
  • “Things that aren’t likely to run out.”

被动语态 Passive Voice (客观陈述)

  • “They are used to get energy.”
  • “Carbon dioxide is produced by burning fossil fuels.”

实用口语表达 Useful Spoken Phrases

  • “It’s an interesting topic, isn’t it?” — 寻求共鸣/开启话题
  • “I remember a few years ago…” — 讲述个人经历
  • “That is something I have never experienced in my life.” — 强调前所未有
  • “Yeah, it was.” — 简短回应表示同意
  • “Exactly.” — 精确确认
  • “Let’s recap…” — 总结重点
  • “That’s it for this episode…” — 结束语

批判性思考 Critical Thinking Questions

  1. 自我反思: Have you noticed climate change where you live? What extreme weather have you experienced?
  2. 习惯分析: What do you do to conserve energy or conserve water at home? (turn off taps, use public transport, lower heating…)
  3. 能源转型: Renewable energy (wind, solar) vs fossil fuels (coal, oil). What are the pros and cons of each? Can your country run on 100% renewables?
  4. 个人责任 vs 系统改变: Neil says “not having your heating turned up too high.” Becca says “turn the tap off when I brush my teeth.” Are individual actions enough? What systemic changes are needed?
  5. 词汇应用: Try explaining “greenhouse gases” 和 “fossil fuels” 的关系。用英语向朋友解释为什么燃烧化石燃料导致全球变暖。
  6. 未来展望: What do you think the climate will be like in 20 years? Will energy conservation become more important?

学习建议 Study Tips

  • 跟读练习: 选择一段对话（如 Neil 解释 fossil fuels），模仿语音语调反复跟读 3-5 遍
  • 词汇卡片: 为 6 个核心词汇制作卡片，正面写英语，背面写中文定义 + 例句
  • 口语输出: 尝试用英语回答：“What is climate change?” “What are fossil fuels?” “How can we conserve energy?”
  • 写作练习: 写一段 80-100 词的短文，描述你所在地区的气候变化现象和你采取的环保行动
  • 真实应用: 打开手机天气/新闻 App，找一篇关于气候变化的英文新闻，标记出本课学到的词汇
  • 扩展学习: 搜索 “carbon footprint” “net zero” “climate action” 相关英语文章/视频
  • [[BBC Learning English - Real Easy English]] (series index)
  • [[Learning English from the News - Climate change]] (if exists)
  • [[6 Minute English - Climate change]] (if exists)

Source: BBC Learning English - Real Easy English
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english/260710
Published: 10 Jul 2026
Level: Easy (A2)
Duration: ~6 minutes
Presenters: Becca & Neil