Issue — June 2026

Quiz: The Environment in 2026

B2 Quiz 11 sentences

Quiz: The Environment in 2026 0 / 11

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Climate, oceans, forests — test your knowledge of the planet today.

The Climate Crisis Reaches a Turning Point

In 2026, global climate policy entered a decisive new phase as governments implemented stricter emissions targets. International agreements now require industries to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, while households are encouraged to switch to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Extreme weather events, once rare, have become the new normal, forcing millions of people to leave their homes and join the growing population of climate refugees. At the same time, scientists warn that rapid glacier melt in polar regions is accelerating faster than earlier models predicted.

Oceans, Forests, and the Web of Life

The world's oceans, which absorb around a quarter of human carbon emissions, are now warmer and more acidic than at any point in recorded history. Biodiversity is under pressure as coral reefs bleach and fish populations shift toward cooler waters. Meanwhile, although rates of deforestation have slowed in some regions, vast areas of tropical ecosystems remain under threat from agriculture and logging. Conservation groups argue that protecting sustainability must become a shared global responsibility rather than a local choice.

Quiz

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1What happened to global climate policy in 2026, according to the article?

The article states that global climate policy entered a decisive new phase as governments implemented stricter emissions targets.
2Why are millions of people being forced to leave their homes?

The text explains that extreme weather events have become the new normal, forcing millions of people to leave their homes and become climate refugees.
3What is currently happening to the world's oceans?

The article says the oceans are now warmer and more acidic than at any point in recorded history.
4What has happened to deforestation rates in some regions?

The text states that although rates of deforestation have slowed in some regions, vast areas of tropical ecosystems remain under threat.
5What do conservation groups say about sustainability?

According to the article, conservation groups argue that protecting sustainability must become a shared global responsibility rather than a local choice.

Must Know 10

biodiversity Noun The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole. It refers to the number of different species and the genetic variation within and between them.
carbon footprint Noun The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent.
climate refugees Noun People who are forced to leave their homes or communities because of environmental changes caused by climate change, such as rising sea levels, severe droughts, floods, or extreme weather events.
conservation Noun The protection of plants, animals, natural resources, and the environment from loss or damage.
deforestation Noun The process of cutting down or destroying trees in a forest area, often on a large scale, leading to environmental damage.
ecosystem Noun An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors.
emissions Noun Substances (especially gases or radiation) discharged into the atmosphere, typically as a result of industrial or natural processes. The plural form of 'emission'.
glacier Noun A large mass of ice that moves very slowly down a mountain or through a valley, formed over many years from compacted snow.
renewable Adjective Able to be replaced by natural processes or supplies that do not run out, often used to describe energy sources like solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
sustainability Noun The ability to continue at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources; maintaining ecological balance while meeting human needs.