Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36 to 42.

In recent decades, the global community has faced an unprecedented challenge: the alarming rise of climate change. Despite concerted efforts and ambitious initiatives, the battle against this existential threat that has been marked by a disheartening series of setbacks and failures.

One big reason we're not stopping climate change is because we can't make good rules to help, both in our countries and around the world. While there have been agreements and accords aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the lack of comprehensive enforcement mechanisms has rendered many of these initiatives ineffective. Furthermore, the failure to adequately address the root causes of climate change, such as unsustainable practices in industries like agriculture, transportation, and energy production, has exacerbated the crisis. Despite growing awareness of the need for sustainable development, the transition to renewable energy sources and eco-friendly technologies has been slow, overshadowed by vested interests and short-term economic considerations. Moreover, the unequal impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, especially in poorer countries, shows that the global response to the problem isn't fair. Even though these communities didn't cause much of the pollution, they're the ones suffering the most from things like bad weather and damage to the environment. This makes existing social differences and poverty even worse.

In the end, the fact that we're failing to stop climate change shows we need to work together and make big changes. We need leaders to agree on better rules, countries to help each other out, and for everyone to start using cleaner, nicer ways to live. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering commitment can we hope to avert the most catastrophic consequences of climate change and safeguard the planet for future generations.

The word “substances” is closest in meaning to _______. A. matter : vấn đề