World News for Students of English

26-09-2024 07:00

Switzerland had a big vote about saving nature. The question was if the government should spend more money to protect plants, animals, and wild areas.

This idea would help farmers and others save land and water for nature. The vote also wanted to stop new buildings in protected areas.

But most Swiss people (66.6%) said no because it was too expensive. Only 33.4% voted yes. The government and people in rural areas didn’t like the idea. They already spend 630 million euros a year on protecting nature and don’t want to spend more. They also worried it would hurt jobs and make building new things more difficult.

Switzerland has beautiful mountains and lakes, but many plants and animals are in danger. Some people said saving green spaces would help nature, tourism, and clean air and water.

Difficult words: protect (to keep safe), rural (relating to the countryside rather than the town), in danger (in a serious or dangerous situation).

You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.