Day 24｜実戦演習③｜環境・エネルギー
【メイン課題】
以下の英文を 6分〜8分以内 に読んで設問に答えましょう。
英文：
The concept of a circular economy has gained significant traction as an alternative to the traditional linear economic model of “take, make, dispose.” In a linear economy, raw materials are extracted, manufactured into products, used, and then discarded as waste. This model has driven economic growth for centuries but has also led to severe environmental degradation, resource depletion, and mountains of waste. The circular economy proposes a fundamentally different approach: designing products and systems so that waste is minimized and resources are kept in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.
The principles of the circular economy are inspired by natural ecosystems, where there is no concept of waste. In nature, the output of one process becomes the input for another. A fallen leaf, for example, decomposes and provides nutrients for new plant growth. The circular economy aims to replicate this efficiency in industrial and commercial systems. Products would be designed for durability and easy disassembly, allowing components and materials to be recovered and reused at the end of their useful life rather than being sent to landfills.
Several companies have already begun implementing circular business models with impressive results. A major Swedish furniture retailer now offers a buyback program in which customers can return used furniture for store credit, and the returned items are resold, repaired, or recycled. A leading technology company has developed a disassembly robot that can take apart old smartphones in minutes, recovering valuable materials such as rare earth elements, cobalt, and tungsten for use in new devices. In the fashion industry, some brands have launched clothing rental and subscription services, allowing customers to access a rotating wardrobe without the environmental cost of constant new purchases.
The economic benefits of transitioning to a circular economy are substantial. A major consulting firm has estimated that adopting circular economy principles could generate 4.5 trillion dollars in additional economic output by 2030. Businesses that embrace circularity can reduce their dependence on volatile raw material markets, lower production costs through the use of recycled materials, and attract environmentally conscious consumers. Cities that implement circular economy strategies can reduce waste management costs and create new jobs in repair, remanufacturing, and recycling industries.
However, the transition to a circular economy faces significant barriers. Many products are currently designed for single use or planned obsolescence, making them difficult or impossible to repair or recycle. Consumer culture, driven by advertising and social pressure, encourages frequent purchases of new products rather than maintenance and reuse. The recycling infrastructure in many countries remains inadequate, with complex waste streams that are difficult and expensive to sort and process. Furthermore, the prices of many virgin materials do not reflect their true environmental cost, making recycled alternatives less competitive.
Governments can play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to a circular economy. Extended producer responsibility laws, which require manufacturers to take responsibility for their products throughout their entire lifecycle, have been effective in increasing recycling rates in countries like Germany and Japan. Banning planned obsolescence, mandating repairability standards, and adjusting tax systems to favor recycled over virgin materials are additional policy tools that can drive systemic change. International cooperation is also essential, as waste streams and supply chains cross national borders, requiring coordinated regulatory approaches.
設問：
（1）リニア経済（直線型経済）とサーキュラー経済（循環型経済）の違いを本文に基づいて説明しなさい。
（2）循環型ビジネスモデルを導入している企業の具体例を2つ挙げなさい。
（3）循環型経済への移行を妨げる障壁を3つ挙げなさい。
（4）本文の内容と一致するものを全て選びなさい。
a. 循環型経済の原則は自然の生態系からヒントを得ている
b. 循環型経済の導入により2030年までに4.5兆ドルの追加経済産出が見込まれる
c. 全ての国で十分なリサイクルインフラが整備されている
d. ドイツと日本では拡大生産者責任法がリサイクル率の向上に効果を上げている
（5）この文章全体を80字以内で要約しなさい。
模範解答を見る ▼
【模範解答】
各段落のキーワードメモ：
– 第1段落：循環型経済の定義
– 第2段落：自然からの着想
– 第3段落：企業の実践例
– 第4段落：経済的メリット
– 第5段落：移行の障壁
– 第6段落：政府の役割
設問の解答：
（1）
– リニア経済：原材料を採取し、製品を製造・使用し、廃棄する一方通行のモデル。
– サーキュラー経済：廃棄物を最小化し、再利用・修理・再製造・リサイクルを通じて資源をできるだけ長く使い続けるモデル。
（2）
– ①スウェーデンの大手家具販売店が中古家具の買取プログラムを実施し、返品された製品を再販売・修理・リサイクルしている。
– ②大手テクノロジー企業が古いスマートフォンを分解するロボットを開発し、レアアース・コバルト・タングステンなどの貴重な材料を回収している。
（3）
– ①多くの製品が使い捨てや計画的陳腐化を前提に設計されている。
– ②広告や社会的圧力による消費文化が、修理や再利用ではなく新品の頻繁な購入を促進している。
– ③多くの国のリサイクルインフラが不十分で、複雑な廃棄物の分別・処理が困難である。
（4）正解：a、b、d
– a：本文 “inspired by natural ecosystems” → 正解
– b：本文 “4.5 trillion dollars in additional economic output by 2030” → 正解
– c：本文 “recycling infrastructure in many countries remains inadequate” → 不十分と述べている → 不正解
– d：本文 “effective in increasing recycling rates in countries like Germany and Japan” → 正解
（5）要約例：循環型経済は廃棄を最小化し資源を循環させるモデルとして大きな経済的可能性を持つが、製品設計や消費文化などの障壁があり、政府の政策と国際協力による制度変革が不可欠である。（80字）
ポイント（速読のコツ㉔）：
– 実戦演習では 「読む速度」ではなく「強弱のつけ方」 が勝負を分ける。700語以上の長文で全てを同じ速度で読む必要はない。トピックセンテンスで全体構造を掴みながら通読し、論理展開の核となる段落は精読、具体例の羅列は要点だけ拾う。メリハリのある読み方が速読の最大の武器。
【練習問題】以下の英文を6分〜8分以内に読み、設問に答えなさい。
英文：
Vertical farming, the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers inside controlled environments, is being promoted as a solution to some of the most pressing challenges in modern agriculture. By using techniques such as hydroponics, where plants grow in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, and LED lighting that provides the specific wavelengths needed for photosynthesis, vertical farms can produce crops year-round regardless of weather conditions or season.
Proponents argue that vertical farming uses significantly less water and land than traditional agriculture. Hydroponic systems recirculate water, reducing consumption by up to 95 percent compared to conventional farming. Since crops are grown indoors, there is no need for pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals that can contaminate soil and waterways. Vertical farms can also be located in or near urban areas, reducing the distance food must travel from farm to plate and lowering transportation-related carbon emissions.
Critics, however, point out that vertical farming has significant limitations. The energy required to power LED lights, climate control systems, and water pumps makes vertical farming extremely energy-intensive. Unless this energy comes from renewable sources, the carbon footprint of vertical farming may actually exceed that of conventional agriculture. Additionally, vertical farms are currently limited to growing leafy greens, herbs, and small fruits such as strawberries. Staple crops like wheat, rice, and corn cannot be economically produced in vertical farms due to their large space requirements and low value per unit of weight.
The economic viability of vertical farming remains uncertain. The high startup costs for building and equipping a vertical farm can exceed 100 million dollars for a large-scale facility. Operating costs, particularly for electricity, remain significantly higher than those of traditional farming. While the premium prices that consumers pay for locally grown, pesticide-free produce can offset some of these costs, it is unclear whether vertical farming can compete with conventional agriculture on a large scale without substantial subsidies or technological breakthroughs.
設問：
（1）垂直農法が従来の農業より水を節約できる理由を説明しなさい。
（2）垂直農法の批判者が指摘する課題を2つ挙げなさい。
（3）この文章全体を80字以内で要約しなさい。
練習問題の解答を見る ▼
【練習問題 解答】
設問の解答：
（1）水耕栽培システムが水を再循環させるため、従来の農業と比べて最大95%の水使用量を削減できる。
（2）LED照明・空調・水ポンプの稼働に大量のエネルギーが必要で、再生可能エネルギーでなければ従来の農業より炭素排出量が多くなる可能性がある。②現在は葉物野菜やハーブ、小さな果物に限られ、小麦・米・トウモロコシなどの主食作物は経済的に生産できない。
（3）要約例：垂直農法は水や農薬の使用を大幅に削減できるが、高いエネルギーコストや栽培可能な作物の制限があり、大規模な商業的実用性についてはまだ不透明である。（73字）