UK needs to urgently install air conditioning in schools and care homes, climate campaigners say
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: The verb 'urge' follows the pattern 'urge someone to do something'. It is a strong verb used to express a persuasive request or a call for immediate action, often found in formal or journalistic contexts.
The committee urged the board to reconsider the proposal.
EN: In news headlines, the infinitive 'to install' is often used to express a future action or a purpose/intent. Here, it functions as the object complement, specifying what the government is being urged to do.
The city plans to build a new park next year.
EN: In the UK, air conditioning is historically rare in public buildings and homes due to the temperate climate. However, as climate change leads to record-breaking heatwaves, the lack of cooling infrastructure has become a critical public health issue, especially for vulnerable groups in 'care homes'.
EN: The use of 'As' as a temporal conjunction indicating simultaneous actions or a causal relationship. In this context, it functions similarly to 'while' or 'because', linking the environmental situation to the subsequent political demand.
As the storm intensified, the local authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order.
EN: The verb 'prioritise' followed by a gerund ('installing'). In English, certain verbs expressing preference or action focus require the '-ing' form when followed by another action.
The company needs to prioritise upgrading its cybersecurity protocols.
EN: The use of the present participle phrase 'housing vulnerable populations' as a reduced relative clause. It modifies 'other facilities', functioning as a shorter version of 'which house vulnerable populations'.
The city opened several centers providing temporary shelter for the homeless.
EN: The United Kingdom has historically had a temperate maritime climate where air conditioning was considered unnecessary for homes and public buildings. However, due to climate change and increasingly frequent heatwaves, the lack of cooling infrastructure has become a public health crisis, especially for the elderly in care homes.
EN: The adverb 'thereby' is used to introduce a result or consequence of the action previously mentioned. It is frequently followed by a present participle (-ing form) to create a resultative clause, functioning as a more formal alternative to 'and thus' or 'and in this way'.
The company reduced its carbon footprint, thereby improving its public image.
EN: The passive voice construction 'should be fitted' indicates that the focus is on the object (solar panels) receiving the action rather than the person performing it. In technical or policy contexts, this emphasizes the necessity of the action itself.
New safety sensors must be fitted to all industrial machinery.
EN: The verb 'emphasise' (British spelling) is followed by a 'that' clause to report a strong opinion or recommendation. This is a common structure in formal reporting and academic writing to highlight key arguments.
Experts emphasised that immediate action is required to prevent further erosion.
EN: The sentence reflects a growing policy debate in the UK regarding climate adaptation. Historically, British infrastructure was designed to retain heat, but as summers become hotter, the need for cooling (traditionally rare in the UK) is being framed as a dual opportunity to also expand renewable energy use.
EN: The phrasal verb 'stem from' is used to describe the origin or cause of something, typically used in formal or academic contexts to link a result to its source.
His fear of flying stems from a childhood experience.
EN: The use of the present participle 'alarming' as an adjective. It describes the effect the 'precedents' have on people, indicating that the precedents cause alarm or worry.
The city has seen an alarming rise in crime rates.
EN: In political and legal discourse, 'precedents' are crucial as they provide a historical basis for current actions or warnings. Mentioning 'alarming precedents' in a British context often refers to past crises (like the 2022 heatwave) that serve as a wake-up call for policy changes.
EN: The non-restrictive relative clause starting with 'when' provides additional temporal information about 'the 2022 heatwave'. It is set off by commas and adds descriptive detail rather than defining which heatwave is being discussed.
I remember that summer, when we spent every day at the beach.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'across Britain' functions as an adjective modifying 'people', indicating the geographical distribution of the subject. 'Across' implies throughout the entire area.
The new policy was implemented across the country.
EN: The phrase 'died from' is used to specify the cause of death, particularly when referring to external factors, diseases, or environmental conditions like 'heat-related causes'.
Many elderly residents died from the extreme cold last winter.
EN: The 2022 heatwave was a landmark event in the UK, as it was the first time temperatures exceeded 40°C. This event significantly shifted public discourse on climate change and the country's lack of preparedness for extreme heat, as British infrastructure (especially housing) is traditionally designed to retain heat.
EN: The phrase 'as much as' is used as an intensifier before a number or amount to emphasize that the quantity is surprisingly large or significant.
The project could cost as much as ten million dollars.
EN: The verb 'indicate' followed by a 'that' clause is a common formal structure in academic and journalistic English to report findings or evidence objectively.
Recent surveys indicate that public opinion is shifting.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used here to indicate the degree or margin of change or difference.
Profits have increased by 20 percent this year.
EN: In the UK, air conditioning has historically been rare in residential buildings and public institutions like schools because of the temperate climate. However, as heatwaves become more frequent and intense due to climate change, the lack of cooling infrastructure is shifting from a minor inconvenience to a major public health crisis, sparking political debate.
EN: This sentence uses an inverted conditional structure (Inversion in the Second Conditional). The word 'Were' is moved to the beginning of the sentence to replace 'If' (If the government were to...), which creates a more formal, literary, or hypothetical tone common in journalism and academic writing.
Were he to resign now, the company would face a leadership crisis.
EN: The 'be + to-infinitive' structure (were to implement) is used in conditional clauses to talk about hypothetical future events. It emphasizes the remoteness of the possibility or adds a sense of formality to the suggestion.
If you were to win the lottery, what would you do first?
EN: The modal verb 'could' combined with 'potentially' expresses a high degree of uncertainty or a conditional possibility. It suggests that while the outcome is possible, it depends on the fulfillment of the condition mentioned in the first clause.
The new policy could potentially improve the local economy within two years.
EN: The United Kingdom has historically had a temperate climate where air conditioning was considered unnecessary in homes and public buildings. However, due to climate change and record-breaking heatwaves (like in 2022), the lack of cooling infrastructure has become a life-threatening issue, shifting public discourse toward adaptation strategies common in warmer countries.
EN: The comparative structure 'faster than any other + singular noun' is used to express a superlative meaning, implying that Europe is warming faster than all other continents.
The Amazon is longer than any other river in South America.
EN: The linking verb 'remains' is used to describe a continuing state or condition, often followed by an adjective (ill-prepared) to indicate that a situation has not changed.
Despite the warnings, the public remains skeptical about the new policy.
EN: The compound adjective 'ill-prepared' uses the prefix 'ill-' to mean 'badly' or 'insufficiently'. This is a formal way to indicate a lack of readiness.
The hikers were ill-equipped for the sudden snowstorm.
EN: The mention of the United Kingdom being 'ill-prepared' refers to the historical design of British infrastructure. Most buildings in the UK were constructed to retain heat during cold winters, rather than dissipate it during hot summers, making the recent trend of rising temperatures in Europe a significant public health challenge.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'yet' is used to connect two independent clauses, introducing a contrast that is surprising or logical in spite of the first clause. It carries a more formal and emphatic tone than 'but'.
The technology is available, yet many companies refuse to adopt it.
EN: The phrasal verb 'lag behind' means to fail to maintain the same pace as someone or something else. In a policy context, it often describes a delay in response to a rapidly changing situation.
The country's infrastructure continues to lag behind its economic growth.
EN: The phrase 'The majority of' is followed by a plural countable noun ('homes'), and thus takes a plural verb ('overheat'). It is a formal way to express 'most'.
The majority of employees prefer flexible working hours.
EN: The term 'English homes' specifically refers to housing in England, which is known for being built to retain heat rather than dissipate it, a legacy of a historically cooler climate. This architectural style is now becoming a liability as global temperatures rise.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle phrase ('Faced with...'), which functions as an adverbial clause of cause or condition. It describes the situation or state of the subject ('citizens').
Faced with rising costs, the company decided to reduce its workforce.
EN: The idiom 'take matters into one's own hands' means to deal with a problem yourself because others (usually authorities) are failing to do so.
When the police failed to find the thief, he took matters into his own hands.
EN: The present continuous tense ('are taking') combined with the adverb 'increasingly' indicates a progressive trend or a developing situation in the present.
Consumers are increasingly turning to online shopping for their daily needs.
EN: In the UK, there is a historical reliance on the government to provide social infrastructure. The phrase 'taking matters into their own hands' reflects a shift in public sentiment where citizens feel the state is no longer fulfilling its duty to protect them from climate change, leading to individualistic solutions like private air conditioning.
EN: The use of 'An estimated' at the beginning of a sentence functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that the following number is an approximation based on data or expert calculation.
An estimated 50,000 fans attended the concert last night.
EN: The structure 'have + object + past participle (installed)' is a causative-like construction or a resultative state, indicating that the households possess the air conditioning in an installed state.
Many residents now have solar panels fitted on their roofs.
EN: The relative pronoun 'which' is used here in a non-restrictive relative clause to refer back to the entire preceding clause ('four million British households now have air conditioning installed').
He passed the exam with honors, which surprised everyone.
EN: Historically, air conditioning has been rare in British homes due to the temperate maritime climate. However, increasing frequency of extreme heatwaves linked to climate change is rapidly shifting consumer behavior and infrastructure needs in the UK.
EN: The use of 'Apposition' (Noun Phrases in Apposition): 'Associate director at the Institute for Public Policy Research' acts as an appositive, providing extra information about the subject 'Sam Alvis'. In formal writing, this is typically set off by commas.
Dr. Smith, a leading expert in virology, will lead the research team.
EN: The verb 'caution' followed by a 'that-clause': 'Caution' is a reporting verb used to provide a warning. It is more formal than 'say' or 'warn' and implies a sense of professional or expert concern.
Economists cautioned that the inflation rate might rise further.
EN: Present Continuous for a developing trend: 'Is becoming' is used here to describe a situation that is currently in the process of changing or developing over time.
Cybersecurity is becoming a top priority for modern businesses.
EN: The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is a prominent progressive think tank in the UK. In British political discourse, think tanks play a crucial role in shaping government policy and public debate. The mention of extreme weather becoming a 'political issue' reflects the increasing pressure on the UK government to address climate change as voters begin to feel its direct impact on their daily lives and safety.
EN: The present perfect tense ('have exploited') combined with the adverb 'historically' indicates an action that has occurred repeatedly or continuously from the past up to the present moment, emphasizing a long-standing pattern.
The company has historically prioritized long-term growth over short-term profits.
EN: The noun 'frustration' is often followed by the preposition 'over' to indicate the cause or subject of the feeling, especially in formal or journalistic contexts.
There is growing public frustration over the rising cost of living.
EN: The reporting verb 'emphasised' is followed by a 'that' clause, which functions as the direct object of the sentence, conveying the specific content of the statement.
The report emphasised that immediate action is required to prevent further damage.
EN: In political discourse, 'populism' refers to movements that claim to represent 'the common people' against a perceived corrupt or out-of-touch elite. The speaker, Sam Alvis, is highlighting how these movements use administrative failures (like lack of heatwave planning) to fuel anti-establishment sentiment.
EN: Negative Inversion: When a sentence begins with a negative expression like 'Not only', the auxiliary verb (does, do, did) must come before the subject. This is used for emphasis and is common in formal writing or speeches.
Not only did she complete the project on time, but she also exceeded the budget expectations.
EN: The 'Not only... but (also)...' structure: This correlative conjunction connects two clauses or phrases. The 'also' is optional, and the second clause often omits the auxiliary verb if the subject is the same.
The new policy not only protects the environment but also creates new jobs.
EN: Verb pattern 'Enable someone to do something': The verb 'enable' is followed by an object and a to-infinitive, meaning to provide someone with the ability or opportunity to do something.
The scholarship enabled him to study at a top university in the United Kingdom.
EN: The term 'divisive agendas' in a political context often refers to policies or rhetoric that split public opinion and create 'us vs. them' mentalities. In the UK and Europe, climate change has increasingly become a 'culture war' issue where populist movements frame green policies as elitist burdens on the working class.
EN: The non-restrictive relative clause starting with 'which' provides extra information about the subject 'The devastating floods'. It is separated by commas and can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
The new policy, which was announced yesterday, aims to reduce carbon emissions.
EN: The verb 'capitalise on' (or capitalize on) means to take advantage of a situation or an emotion to gain a benefit, often in a way that is seen as opportunistic or unfair.
The company tried to capitalise on the sudden increase in demand for home office equipment.
EN: The phrase 'rather than' is used to show preference or to contrast two actions, where the action following 'rather than' is the one rejected or ignored. In this sentence, it contrasts 'capitalising on grief' with 'addressing the crisis'.
We should focus on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
EN: The sentence refers to the real-world political tension in Spain following the 2024 Valencia floods. The 'Vox' party is a right-wing populist political party in Spain. In political discourse, 'populism' often refers to movements that claim to represent 'the people' against 'the elite', sometimes using emotional events to bypass complex scientific or structural issues like climate change.
EN: The phrase 'be poised to' is used to describe something that is completely ready or in a position to do something, often implying that the action is imminent or highly likely to occur.
The company is poised to launch its new product line next month.
EN: The noun 'overheating' functions as a gerund here, acting as the head of the noun phrase 'the overheating of British homes'. It describes a continuous state or process.
The overheating of the engine caused the car to break down.
EN: The word 'that' introduces a noun clause (content clause) which functions as the direct object of the verb 'suggest', specifying what the analysts are suggesting.
Studies suggest that regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The term 'flashpoint' is a metaphor derived from chemistry (the temperature at which a vapor ignites). In a political context, it refers to a situation or place where violence or significant conflict is likely to flare up. This reflects the increasing tension in the UK regarding climate change adaptation and housing standards.
EN: Inversion in first conditional sentences: 'Should' can replace 'If' to make the condition sound more formal or hypothetical. The structure is 'Should + subject + base verb'.
Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
EN: The use of 'prove' as a linking verb: In formal English, 'prove' is often used to mean 'to turn out to be' or 'to be found to be' over time or after experience.
The new strategy could prove effective in the long run.
EN: Present participle as an adjective: 'Mounting' is the present participle of 'mount', used here to describe a situation that is gradually increasing in intensity or amount.
There is mounting pressure on the committee to change the rules.
EN: The sentence reflects a growing political tension in the UK regarding climate adaptation. While the UK is traditionally known for its temperate climate, recent record-breaking heatwaves have exposed a lack of 'robust infrastructure' (like air conditioning), which was previously seen as unnecessary. This shift is turning environmental issues into urgent public policy and social stability concerns.
EN: The use of 'whether' introduces a noun clause acting as a subject complement after the linking verb 'remains'. It expresses a state of uncertainty or a question that needs to be addressed.
The concern remains whether the new policy will effectively reduce carbon emissions.
EN: The word 'remains' is used here as a linking verb to describe a continuing state or condition. It suggests that despite previous discussions or time passing, the situation has not changed.
The true cause of the accident remains a mystery to investigators.
EN: In time clauses introduced by 'before', 'after', or 'when', the present simple tense ('strikes') is used to refer to future events, even though the main clause uses a future construction ('will act').
We need to finalize the emergency plan before the storm hits the coast.
EN: In the UK political context, 'ministers' refers to high-ranking government officials who head departments. The sentence reflects a common critique of the British government's reactive rather than proactive approach to climate-induced infrastructure challenges.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To deal with a problem yourself because others are failing to do so.
To be caused by something; to originate from.
To move or develop more slowly than others.
Adjustments in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli.
Ready to do something or in a position where something is likely to happen soon.