LingVo.club
Level
Shade trees could cut cocoa emissions — Level A1 — a dirt path in the middle of a forest

Shade trees could cut cocoa emissionsCEFR A1

28 Aug 2025

Adapted from Rory Harris, SciDev CC BY 2.0

Photo by Rajeev Sahadevan, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
1 min
60 words
  • Cocoa farming makes many greenhouse gases.
  • Researchers say planting shade trees helps.
  • This practice is called agroforestry.
  • The study used satellites and machine learning.
  • It looked at Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
  • Only about five per cent has 30% shade.
  • Reaching 30% shade could offset 167% emissions.
  • Many farmers are reluctant to plant trees.
  • Groups gave 43 million seedlings since 2018.

Difficult words

  • farmA piece of land for growing crops.
    farms
  • cocoaA type of plant used to make chocolate.
  • treeA tall plant with a trunk and leaves.
    trees
  • soilThe top layer of earth used for growing.
  • cocoa cropsPlants grown for food or other use.
  • moistSlightly wet or damp.
  • ownTo have something as your property.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • What do you think about using shade trees on cocoa farms?
  • How might farmers feel about losing their crops?
  • Why is agroforestry important for the environment?

Related articles

How UV Light Changes Ice Chemistry — Level A1
31 Dec 2025

How UV Light Changes Ice Chemistry

Scientists used quantum simulations to see how ultraviolet (UV) light alters the chemistry of ice. The results help explain old experiments and could affect predictions about greenhouse gas release from thawing permafrost and icy moons.

Shade trees could cut cocoa emissions — English Level A1 | LingVo.club