BBC Learning English
Words in the News
Chileans told to take off ties

23

rd

December 2011

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

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bbclearningenglish.com

The government in Chile has come up with a new way of saving energy. It's advised
Chilean men to take off their ties during the summer months, so they won't need to
switch on the air conditioning. From the Chilean capital, Santiago, Gideon Long reports:

It's a common sight during the Southern Hemisphere summer to see Chilean men
sweltering in suits and neckties.

From December to March, the temperature in the capital regularly tops 30 degrees
Celsius. In the bone-dry north of the country it gets even higher.

So the government's told the country's menfolk to shed their ties, undo their top
buttons and turn down the air conditioning.

It estimates that by doing so Chile can save around US$ 10 million during the four
hottest months of the year, and save 120,000 tonnes in carbon emissions.

The government launched its initiative with a video in which four ministers ripped off
their ties. Energy conservation is a key issue in Chile, which, unlike many countries in
Latin America, produces virtually no oil and gas.

It relies heavily on hydro-electric power, but that often runs low during the summer,
when the country's reservoirs are frequently hit by drought.

Gideon Long, BBC News, Santiago

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

the Southern Hemisphere
summer

the warmest season of the year in the bottom half of
the Earth

sweltering

feeling very hot

bone-dry

totally free from moisture

menfolk

men (old-fashioned expression)

to shed something

to take off something

carbon emissions

gas produced by industrial processes that is released in
the atmosphere

launched its initiative

announced its new measures

energy conservation

efforts made to reduce the use of electricity

hydro-electric power

energy generated with the use of flowing water, usually
a waterfall

drought

a long period without rainfall

More on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16172476

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/12/111223_witn_ties.shtml