Deep-sea mining - 6 Minute English

Some solutions to deal with climate change could damage the environment. An idea under scrutiny is deep-sea mining - the exploration of metals used for 'green' products, which could undermine delicate ocean ecosystems. Sam and Neil discuss the topic and teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
According to recent estimates by Unesco oceanographers, how many different marine species have their home in the ocean?
a) 70,000
b) 170,000
c) 700,000
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
paradox
situation that seems impossible because it contains two opposite ideas

conundrum
problem that is very difficult to solve

increase/grow by a factor of (x)
be multiplied by that many (x) times

silver bullet
simple and immediate solution to a complicated problem

slippery slope
situation or habit that is difficult to stop and is likely to get worse and worse

open the door to (something)
(idiom) allow something new to start, or make it possible to happen

[Cover: Getty Images]
You can download audio and text here:

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The art of conversation

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Controlling the weather

Meet the flavourists

Are Halloween costumes too scary?

#climatechange #deepsea #learnenglish

[trangdieu.c]

VOCABULARY IN THIS VIDEO “ Deep-sea mining: Good or bad for the planet?”
1. Controversial: causing disagreement or discussion
→ a controversial issue/ decision/speech/figure
2. Nodules: a small round raised part, especially a small swelling on a plant or someone’s body
3. Copper: a chemical element that is a reddish-brown metal, used especially for making wire and coins.
4. Nickel: a chemical element that is a silver-white metal.
5. Cobalt: a chemical element that is a hard silver white metal, used in metal mixtures and for making materials blue.
6. Delicate: needing carefull treatment, especially because easily damaged.
7. Decarbonise: to stop or reduce carbon gases, especially carbon dioxide, being released into the atmosphere as the result of a process, for example the burning of fossil fuels.
8. Fragile: is easily damaged or broken
9. Paradox: situation that seems impossible because it contains two opposite ideas
10. Conundrum: problem that is very difficult to solve
11. Increase/grow by a factor of (x): be multiplied by that many (x) times
12. Silver bullet: simple and immediate solution to a complicated problem
13. Slippery slope: situation or habit that is difficult to stop and is likely to get worse and worse
14. Open the door to (something): (idiom) allow something new to start, or make it possible to happen
15. Do more harm than good.

12/9/2022 VIET NAM – ALL THE BEST FOR YOU ^^

[OlgaE-va]

The word "conundrum" is new to me. The word "paradox" sounds the same in many languages, so it's familiar to me. The meaning of all phrases can be understood. Your explanation is so clear! Thanks a lot!

[mohamedaly]

I heard from egyptian man from Facebook and I open and see really very nice we need that and we want learning English

[qalaxxaajinuur]

Thanks bbc the help people learning the English

[ocbaau]

VOCABULARY IN “deep sea mining”
1. Controversial: causing disagreement or discussion:
2. Lump: a piece of a solid substance, usually with no particular shape
3. Nodule: a small raised area or swelling
4. Copper: symbol Cu
5. Raw material: of materials) in a natural state, without having been through any chemical or industrial process.
6. Paradox: a situation that seems impossible because it contains two opposite ideas
7. Conundrum: a problem that is very difficult to solve
8. Deep sea mining: the industry or activity of removing substances such as coal or metal from the ground by digging
9. Grid capacity: the total amount that can be contained or produced
10. Concern: to cause worry to someone
11. Silver bullet: simple and immediate solution to a complicated problem
12. Climate crisis: a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering
13. Slippery slope: a situation or habit that is difficult to stop and is likely to get worse and worse
14. Commercial scale: related to making money by buying and selling things

[najmulhudaalmamun]

BBC learning english, It’s quite helpful for the students.I had learned new things. Which one is help me to materialize my desire and dream.

[alexandresimoes]

Very nice. I have been studying 6 minutes English for a long time. Thanks for its content.

[saidabdidahir]

Thanks BBC for your help iam from somalia 🇸🇴

[gayannayanajith]

Highly appreciated your great support for improving english knowledge.

[Zehra_Shengel]

Saaaammmm!!!! I'm in love with your voice 💞🤩

[ІринаСподар]

Thank bbc no evening passes without your podcasts

[neoenglish-hw]

I'm from Uzbekistan ! thanks a lot ! I recantly started leastening bbc !

[hadouken]

have learnt numerous things from you, thank you all, bbc learning english family((:

[letsplayroblox]

Today i've known new facts about deep-sea mining. I think it's good for our health too. I would try deep-sea mining. In my opinion it helps to relax our mind. Also i tried it on the game only. Scientists says that 70 percent of water are unexplored. I think there are more types of fish that we can imagine

[sergiodecastrobelem]

Amazing video as always.
Could we say that winning the lottery would be a silver bullet to someone's financial problems?

[ernianisa]

But I had unfinished work to do so I stayed put, those evil forces knew that in this building resides a man who will overcome all evil forces in the future. Muhammad Qasim Dreams

[benjaminestrada]

Thanks a lot. An interesting topic. Greetings f4om Mexico.

[najmulhudaalmamun]

At the heart of problem, what does It's means?

[amarstudio]

Please provide word meanings with example

[mdenamulhasan]

By the way what is the meaning here that...when you say i am afraid after said wrong answer..?
really i'd like to know