ENVIRONMENT REPORT - Effects of Global Warming

ENVIRONMENT REPORT
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May 10, 2002: Effects of Global Warming

By Cynthia Kirk

This is the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.

Scientists say the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere has begun to affect plant and animal life around the world.

Scientists from the University of Hanover in Germany reported their findings in the publication Nature. They say
global warming is affecting endangered species, sea life and the change in seasonal¹ activities of organisms.
Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere.

Studies show that the Earth’s climate has warmed by about six-tenths of one
degree Celsius² during the past one-hundred years. Most of the increase has taken
place in the last thirty years.

The German scientists studied different animal and plant populations around the
world in the past thirty years. They say some species will disappear because they
can not move to new areas when their home climate gets too warm.

The scientists say one of the biggest signs of climate change has been the worldwide reduction in coral reefs.
Rising temperatures in the world’s warm ocean waters have caused coral to lose color and die.

In the coldest areas of the world, winter freezing periods are now happening later and ending earlier. Researchers
say these changes are having severe effects on animals such as penguins³, seals and polar bears.

Changes in temperature and wetness in the air can also affect the reproduction of some reptiles⁴ and amphibians⁵.
For example, the sex of baby painted turtles is linked to the average temperature in July. Scientists say even small
temperature increases can threaten the production of male turtles.

In Europe, scientists say warmer temperatures are affecting the spring and autumn seasons. This is affecting the
growth of plants and delaying the flight of birds from one place to another.

Scientists are concerned about invasions of warm weather species into traditionally colder areas. Rising
temperatures have been linked with diseases spread by mosquito insects in areas of Asia, East Africa and Latin
America.

Britain’s Meteorological Office says worldwide temperatures will continue to rise during the next one-hundred
years. It says how much temperatures increase will depend on the success of worldwide policies designed to slow
global warming.

This VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT was written by Cynthia Kirk.

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1 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

2 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

3 penguins   

n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Why can penguins live in cold environment? 为什么企鹅能生活在寒冷的环境中？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Whales, seals, penguins, and turtles have flippers. 鲸、海豹，企鹅和海龟均有鳍形肢。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 reptiles   

n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Snakes and crocodiles are both reptiles. 蛇和鳄鱼都是爬行动物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Birds, reptiles and insects come from eggs. 鸟类、爬虫及昆虫是卵生的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 amphibians   

两栖动物( amphibian的名词复数 )； 水陆两用车； 水旱两生植物； 水陆两用飞行器

参考例句：

• The skin of amphibians is permeable to water. 两栖动物的皮肤是透水的。
• Two amphibians ferry them out over the sands. 两辆水陆两用车把他们渡过沙滩。