Notes：
odds 見込み，可能性;
nuclear power station 原子力発電所;
generate　～を発生させる、生み出す;
massive 大量の，（程度が）はなはだしい;
casualty（事故・災害などの）死傷者，犠牲者（victim）;
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Japan was in all the headlines in March after the terrible earthquake that caused thousands of deaths in Fukushima. Furthermore as residents of Shimane we all feel worried about living next to a nuclear power station. However the odds of such a disaster happening are extremely low. There is a greater chance of death from crossing the road or driving a car. Also, although earthquakes are common in Japan, they don’t always generate massive casualties. (by Prof. Simon Smith )
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Notes:
mobile: 可動式の;
sack: （穀物・小麦・石炭などを入れる粗布の）大袋;
seed: 種;
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Look on the Internet and see if you can find the picture of a man in Beijing who built a mobile egg-shaped house. It’s powered by the sun with solar panels on the egg. It’s made of bamboo, wood, sack bags, and grass seed. The owner hopes the seed will grow in the spring. It cost about $1000 to build, but it’s not very big. Inside he has a bed, some small furniture, and lights. He can open the side to clean it. Many people would find the space entirely too small. Still, it gives us new ideas for how we may be able to live more eco-friendly in the future.　(by Prof. Carmella Lieske)
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