世界节假日博览 第18期:世界湿地日

 　　World Wetlands Day (WWD) occurs on the 2nd of February each year. It marks the date of the signing of the International Convention¹ on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. WWD started in 1997. It aims to raise awareness² of the value of wetlands around the world and the unique and important place they have. The 158 nations and territories who signed the convention promised to conserve³ and protect over 1,782 wetlands, coveringan area of over 160 million hectares. The United Kingdom tops the list with 177 protected wetland sites. Each year governments and citizens’ groups carry out all kinds of activities on WWD. These range from nature walks, clean-up days and seminars to new government laws to protect the wetlands.

　　每年的2月2日是世界湿地日。1971年的同一天，在伊朗拉姆萨签署了国际湿地公约。世界湿地日开始于1997年。其目的是让全球提高湿地价值的意识，以及它们所起到的重要作用。签署公约的158个国家和地区承诺保护超过1782个湿地，总占地面积超过了160万公顷。英国的湿地保护数量为177处，排在全球之首。每年，政府和市民都会在这天里举行各种各样的活动。有大自然漫步、大清扫以及各种介绍保护湿地的法律讲座。

　　World Wetlands Day.jpg

　　The world’s wetlands serve an important role in nature. They are all mini eco-systems and contain a huge diversity of animal and plant life. They take the form of ponds, streams, rivers, bogs⁴ and swamps⁵. They also serve an important role in the flood defences of an area. Wetlands are like giant sponges⁶ and store water from floods. They can protect an area from flooding from storms and high tides. This is coming under threat now with rising sea levels and global warming. Climate change means any wetlands are themselves beingflooded or are drying up and disappearing. Wetlands are also a wonderful way to explore nature and see a huge variety of water life, plants, animals and birds. It is vital we protect them.

　　湿地在自然环境中扮演着重要角色。它们都是小型生态系统，并包含了多种多样的动植物。它们以湖泊、河流、小溪、沼泽以及湿地的形式存在着。它们对防治洪水起到了关键的作用。湿地就像是巨大的海绵，汲取洪水中的水分。湿地能够避免因暴风雨和满潮所引起的洪水。由于海平面的不断升高以及全球变暖，我们都在遭受着洪水的威胁。气候变化意味着湿地自身正在经受着洪水的考验，或是逐渐干枯，或是消亡。湿地也是探索大自然的好方式，人们可以看到数量惊人，种类多样的水生物、植物、动物以及飞禽。保护湿地意义重大。

　　1.high tide 满潮

　　例句：Surprisingly, the sea level is different on each coast, and there are different levels of high tide.

　　出人意料的是，海水高度在每个海岸都不同，高潮高度也不同。

　　2.climate change 气候变化

　　例句：We are all victims of climate change.

　　我们都是气候变化的受害者。

　　3.sea level 海平面

　　例句：The Turban Basin in Xinjiang is the world's lowest-lying basin, the lowest point being 154 metres below sea level.

　　中国新疆的吐鲁番盆地是世界最低的盆地。 盆地最低点在海平面以下154米。

　　4.clean-up 打扫

　　例句：His supporters want a clean-up of civilian⁷ corruption⁸.

　　他的支持者们想要一场对民间腐败的大整顿。

1 convention   

n.惯例，习俗，常规，会议，大会

参考例句：

• How many delegates have checked in at the convention?大会已有多少代表报到？
• He sets at naught every convention of society.他轻视所有的社会习俗。

2 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

3 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

4 bogs   

n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍

参考例句：

• Whenever It'shows its true nature, real life bogs to a standstill. 无论何时，只要它显示出它的本来面目，真正的生活就陷入停滞。 来自名作英译部分
• At Jitra we went wading through bogs. 在日得拉我们步行着从泥水塘里穿过去。 来自辞典例句

5 swamps   

沼泽（地）( swamp的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• On the floor of the basins lie deserts, lakes and swamps. 这几个盆地的底部有沙漠、湖泊和沼泽。
• The lowest parts of the flood plain may form "back-swamps". 河漫滩最低的部分可以形成河漫滩沼泽。

6 sponges   

n.海绵( sponge的名词复数 )；海绵动物

参考例句：

• Sponges absorb water. 海绵吸水。 来自辞典例句
• Ice bags and alcohol sponges help to reduce fever, especially in children. 用冰袋和洒精擦浴有助于降体温，尤其是对儿童。 来自辞典例句

7 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

8 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。