英语新闻视频 Car-free day pushes

 

108 cities in China took part in World Car Free Day on Saturday to promote environmentally-friendly transport and ease increasingly grid-locked city streets. It's a highlight of a nationwide urban public transport week. People were urged to take public transport, ride bikes or walk.
Traffic on the move.
This was the scene on some downtown streets in Beijing where private cars were banned on car free day.
To help out, more than 200 new buses took to the streets. And the Beijing Subway laid on 10 more trains for rush hour.
A Beijing resident said "Today is car free day, and I do find the traffic much better and the bus can go much faster."
Another resident said "I spent only half an hour to go to work. It took me twice as long before. Plus I can find seat on the bus today."
But in some areas not signed up for traffic control, endless lines of cars can still be seen.
Some people say they just can't do without their cars.
Another Beijing resident said "Some people are willing to give up driving, but on certain days when I have to take my child to school or weekend classes,the public transport is so bad that I can't do it without a car."
But the concept of "green" traffic is catching¹ on. People say they believe it's the first and honest step in facing the serious traffic and environmental problems.
A driver said "The car free day has very important symbolic² meaning. It does not mean that we must give up cars. It is to promote a concept, to encourage more people to contribute to the protection of the environment."
The Ministry³ of Construction calculates "Car Free Day" will cut 3000 tons of emissions⁴ and save 33 million liters of gasoline. And it's planning more frequent activities to raise public awareness⁵ of energy conservation and environmental protection.

1 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

2 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

5 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。