VOA慢速英语2014 联合国气候变化大会在利马开幕

 

AS IT IS 2014-12-04 Hope for Progress at UN Climate Talks in Lima 联合国气候变化大会在利马开幕

Representatives from almost 200 countries are meeting in Lima, Peru, for talks on a new United Nations climate treaty.

The new treaty would replace the Kyoto Protocol¹, the international agreement that ended in 2012. Delegates in Lima are preparing for next year’s meeting in Paris when they will try to reach a final agreement.

Scientists say the world is on its way toward a temperature increase of two-degrees Celsius² above pre-industrial levels. Temperatures have already risen by almost one-degree Celsius. Greenhouse gas releases, or emissions⁴, are blamed for the rising temperatures. The gases are created by burning fossil fuels, like coal and petroleum⁵.

The meeting in Lima ends December 12. The delegates are discussing ways to control and reduce those emissions.

The talks opened with a sense of hope for a deal.  Last month, the United States agreed to cut emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels. At the same time, China said its emissions would stop rising by about 2030. China and the U.S. are the world’s top climate polluters.

Jennifer Morgan is the Global Director of the Climate Program at the World Resources Institute. She notes recent signs of progress toward a climate deal, like the UN climate meeting in New York City in September that brought together heads of state and industry leaders. It also led to demonstrations⁶ of about 700,000 people in New York and other cities to demand action on climate change. Jennifer Morgan explains what happened next.

“European heads-of-state in October saying here’s our offer to reduce at least 40 percent emissions. And then, the U.S.-China announcement, recently, where those two countries came forward in a pretty historic announcement of what they’re willing to do on their numbers, and their willingness to work together.”

Ms. Morgan says the move could energize⁷ other nations to do more.

“If you look at developed countries, it’s fair to say that Australia or Canada haven’t indicated when they are going to table their offer. Well, if China can offer something, certainly they can offer something too.”

She says some developing nations like India and Brazil may also feel challenged to act.

Rajendra Pachauri is the head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. On the opening day of talks Monday, he told representatives in Lima that “the window for action is rapidly closing.”

Ms. Morgan says she hopes the meeting in Lima will end with a proposal for a new treaty that will guide negotiators and lead governments to act.

Words in This Story

emission³ -  n. the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source

fossil fuel – n. fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from dead plants or animals

pollute – v. to make (land, water, air, etc.) dirty and not safe or suitable to use

challenge – v. to invite (someone) to compete in a game, fight, etc.

1 protocol   

n.议定书，草约，会谈记录，外交礼节

参考例句：

• We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
• The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。

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 emission   

n.发出物，散发物；发出，散发

参考例句：

• Rigorous measures will be taken to reduce the total pollutant emission.采取严格有力措施，降低污染物排放总量。
• Finally,the way to effectively control particulate emission is pointed out.最后，指出有效降低颗粒排放的方向。

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 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

6 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

7 energize   

vt.给予(某人或某物)精力、能量

参考例句：

• It is used to energize the city.它的作用是为城市供给能量。
• This is a great way to energize yourself and give yourself more power!这种方法非常棒，可以激活你的能量，让你有更多的活力！