B2 – Upper Intermediate
In response to growing demand for sustainable energy sources, nuclear energy stocks have performed remarkably well, especially as major tech companies like Amazon and Google invest in nuclear power to meet data center energy needs.
Read the article to know how the Market Vectors Global Uranium and Nuclear Energy Index has surged, reflecting increased interest in this clean energy sector.
https://www.ajg.com/us/news-and-insights/2024/oct/weekly-financial-markets-update-october-21-2024/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “front month contract” mean? “ The 2024 gold rally took another step higher last week, with the front-month futures contract for the metal hitting another all-time high and surpassing $2,700 an ounce for the first time.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “jolt” mean? “Nuclear energy stocks received a jolt last week after Amazon and Google each announced deals to secure power from nuclear facilities to meet soaring AI data center demands.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “scalability” mean? “The tech giants recently closed multiple investments and partnerships focused on small modular reactors (SMRs), an innovative nuclear technology offering enhanced scalability. ” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think nuclear energy is becoming more popular as an investment option right now?
- How might companies like Amazon and Google using nuclear energy impact the clean energy sector overall?
- What are some reasons investors are choosing nuclear energy over other renewable sources like solar or wind?
- Do you think increased investment in nuclear energy stocks will lead to more sustainable practices, or could there be challenges?