Tie-less in Chile 智利鼓励男士放弃系领带

Gideon Long, BBC News, Santiago

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera is often seen wearing his tie

媒体英语会带大家一起学习 BBC 撰稿人在报道世界大事时常用到的单词和短语。

Background: 智利政府为了节省能源提倡了一项新宣传。鼓励上班族男士在酷热的暑期解下领带，这样就不必启动空调了。

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 (about 63 million yuan) 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.