Table of Contents
Drone pictures show damage in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. A group that wants to help the Earth called Global Witness took these pictures.
The pictures show that nickel mining hurts forests and makes water dirty.
Raja Ampat is a group of islands. It has many different plants and animals. People call it the “Amazon of the Seas.”
Nickel is a metal. It is used in batteries for electric cars. It is also used to make stainless steel. Global Witness says that companies take more nickel every year.
Indonesia’s government stopped mining for most companies there. The government said Raja Ampat is a “world heritage.” It must be safe.
But the pictures show some damage already. Global Witness said mining land increased by “700 football fields.” This happened from 2020 to 2024.
There is a problem. We need metals for new technology, but mining can damage nature. Indonesia makes more than half of the world’s nickel.
Mining also causes damage in other places. Countries must choose between money and nature.
Vocabulary
- Drone – an aircraft/vehicle that does not have a pilot/driver but is controlled by someone far away/remotely
- Show – to prove something or make the truth or existence of something known; confirm; demonstrate; to display; to represent
- Damage – physical harm that is done to something; destruction; injury; broken
- Group – two or more people/companies that work together for a reason
- Earth – the planet/world we live on 🌎
- Called – Named; To give something a name
- Nickel – a shiny, silver-white metal found in the ground
- Mining – to dig up valuable minerals and metals from the ground; to go into the ground and get metals and stones
- Hurt – To cause pain or damage to someone/something; to feel pain or have an injury; to have damage to the body
- Forest – A large area of land covered with trees
- Dirty – Not clean; messy
- Battery – a device that stores power and makes electricity; 🔋🪫
- Government – the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- World Heritage – A special place in the world that everyone agrees is important to protect
- Increase – to go up; to make something larger; to make more of; expand
- Nature – The living world around us; The natural world, including plants, animals, and the environment
- More than half – more than 50%; >50%
- Cause – make something (usually bad) happen; create
Discussion Questions
- Do you think it is okay to damage nature to get things we need for new technology? Why or why not?
- The government stopped some mining. Do you think this was a good idea? Why?
- Do you think companies should pay for the damage they cause to the environment?
- What do you think is more important: making money or protecting nature? Why?
- What are some things people can do to help protect natural places like Raja Ampat?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
Drone _____ show damage in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. A group that _____ to help the Earth called Global Witness took _____ pictures.
The pictures _____ that nickel mining hurts forests and makes _____ dirty.
Raja Ampat is a _____ of islands. It has many different plants and animals. _____ call it the “Amazon of the Seas.”
Nickel _____ a metal. It is used in batteries for electric cars. It is also _____ to make stainless steel. Global Witness says that _____ take more nickel every year.
_____ government stopped mining for most companies there. The _____ said Raja Ampat is a “world heritage.” It must be safe.
_____ the pictures show some damage already. Global Witness _____ mining land increased by “700 football fields.” This happened from _____ to 2024.
There is a problem. _____ need metals for new technology, but mining can damage _____ . Indonesia makes more than half of _____ world’s nickel.
Mining also causes _____ in other places. Countries must choose between _____ and nature.
