The concept of 'environmental debt' has gained traction among economists as a framework for understanding the long-term costs of resource depletion. Unlike financial debt, which is quantifiable and subject to contractual repayment, environmental debt is diffuse, often invisible, and transferred across generations. For instance, carbon emissions from industrial activities accumulate in the atmosphere, imposing costs on future societies in the form of climate change. This intergenerational transfer raises ethical questions about the rights of unborn populations. Some scholars argue that current economic models fail to account for this debt due to their reliance on discount rates that prioritize present consumption over future welfare. Others contend that technological innovation will offset these debts, making them a non-issue. However, the uncertainty surrounding both the magnitude and timing of environmental impacts complicates any straightforward resolution. Thus, addressing environmental debt requires not only economic recalibration but also a fundamental shift in how we perceive responsibility across time.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿por qué los modelos económicos actuales tienen dificultades para abordar la deuda ambiental?
A. A. Porque la deuda ambiental no es un contrato legalmente vinculante.
B. B. Porque priorizan el consumo inmediato sobre el bienestar futuro.
C. C. Porque la innovación tecnológica eventualmente eliminará todas las deudas.
D. D. Porque las generaciones futuras no tienen derechos en los sistemas legales actuales.
✅ 正确答案
B. Because they prioritize immediate consumption over future well-being.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first