The year is 2047. A devastating heatwave has swept across the globe, causing unprecedented droughts and wildfires. While mainstream media reports attribute the phenomenon to climate change, a growing underground movement believes a more sinister force is at play. Their evidence? A seemingly innocuous manga series, "Sunken City," which, they claim, subtly predicts and even glorifies the current crisis. "Sunken City" depicts a dystopian future ravaged by extreme weather, eerily similar to the world they now inhabit. The manga's protagonist, a young meteorologist, uncovers a government conspiracy to suppress crucial climate data, manipulating weather patterns for nefarious purposes. The conspiracy, they claim, involves advanced geoengineering technologies gone wrong, resulting in the current catastrophic heatwave. Furthermore, the manga features recurring symbols—a stylized sun and a cryptic compass—that the movement interprets as coded messages hinting at the location of secret government facilities involved in this clandestine operation. However, the government vehemently denies any involvement in manipulating the weather. They dismiss the manga as mere coincidence, citing its release several years before the onset of the current climate crisis. Government-sponsored experts argue the similarities are purely superficial and point to overwhelming scientific consensus on the causes of global warming. They have launched a public relations campaign to discredit the underground movement, labelling their claims as baseless conspiracy theories intended to sow discord and undermine public trust. The manga, meanwhile, has become a cultural phenomenon. Its cryptic imagery and compelling storyline have spawned countless fan theories and online discussions. The debate between those who believe in the government cover-up and those who dismiss the manga's significance as mere coincidence continues to rage, further fueling the social unrest already simmering due to the extreme weather conditions. The question remains: Is "Sunken City" a prophetic masterpiece, a sophisticated piece of disinformation, or simply a wildly popular work of fiction?
1. What is the central conflict presented in the passage?
2. According to the passage, what role does the manga "Sunken City" play in the unfolding events?
3. What is the government's response to the allegations of weather manipulation?
4. The recurring symbols in "Sunken City" are interpreted by the underground movement as: