气候变化对一些纽约人来说是个难题

New York's Broad Channel neighborhood is an island in more ways than one. Politically, its population actively¹ supports U.S. President Donald Trump² -- in a liberal city.

But Broad Channel is also an actual island that rises over the waters of Jamaica Bay.

New York City officials believe that climate change is likely to affect the Broad Channel area. Yet most residents there are not worried about the United States' decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.

A house damaged by weather and flooding is seen in the Broad Channel neighborhood of Queens in New York City, U.S., November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

A house damaged by weather and flooding is seen in the Broad Channel neighborhood of Queens in New York City, U.S., November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had informed the United Nations of the decision. He described the agreement as an "unfair economic burden" to the U.S. economy. The process of withdrawal³ will take one year.

In 2012, Superstorm Sandy nearly destroyed much of the Broad Channel neighborhood. Since then, large houses have been lifted up. People move cars every day to avoid rising waters.

But many residents see the flooding as a way of life, and not a climate change problem.

"When we were kids, I had a friend on 12th Road, the tide would come in and out of her house," said 59-year-old Marty Feeney. He is a former New York Police Department detective.

Feeney has been a Broad Channel resident all his life. He said he supported Trump and that climate change was not a worry for him.

His beliefs are like many others on the island of about 3,000 people.

"It would cost us so much money to do things we are already doing, to be in this Paris climate (agreement)," said Nicholas Pierro. He is also a 59-year-old retired⁴ New York police officer and a Trump supporter. Pierro added that he plans to vote for Trump again in 2020.

During the presidency⁵ of Barack Obama, the United States promised under the Paris agreement to take steps to slow climate change. Obama agreed to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions⁷ by as much as 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.

Trump has changed all that. He has celebrated⁸ growing U.S. gas and oil production. He has also taken steps to reduce rules on energy companies. He says these are just two economic benefits of leaving the 2015 agreement.

Changing currents

Events like tidal flooding are expected to become more widespread over the next 100 years in coastal⁹ areas because of climate change, said a report released earlier this year. The New York City Panel on Climate Change produced the report.

By the year 2099, "the entire neighborhood of Broad Channel will likely be completely submerged by monthly high tides," said Philip Orton. He is a research associate professor at Stevens Institute of Technology and was one of the writers of the report. He added that now there is just regular flooding at the lowest part of the island.

Other residents who have lived with years of floods say they believe climate change is a problem. They say Trump's decision to leave the Paris accord is a mistake.

"I think it's definitely global warming," said 62-year-old Patty Kissane. She explained how rising high tides have forced her to change where she puts her car every day.

Kissane said she supports the president's Republican Party, but is not a Trump supporter.

"I totally disagree with him," she said. "We should be fighting global warming."

But some residents said they did not want to pick a political side.

"It's kind of become a team sport, politics," said 43-year-old Michelle Green. She is involved in local efforts to improve Broad Channel's future. "If that's your guy, you're going to go with everything he says," she added.

Words in This Story

burden – n. a weight that causes a problem

tide – n. the regular upward and downward movement of the level of the ocean that is caused by the pull of the Sun and the Moon on the Earth

emission⁶ – n. the act of producing or sending out something such as energy or gas from a source

detective – n. an investigator¹⁰

benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect

panel – n. a group of people who answer questions, give advice or opinions about something, or take part in a discussion for an audience

submerge – v. to make something go under the surface of water

global – adj. involving the entire world

regular - adj. happening over and over again at the same time or in the same way : occurring every day, week, month, etc.

residents - n. someone who lives in a particular place

1 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

2 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

3 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

4 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

5 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

6 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。

7 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。

8 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

9 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

10 investigator   

n.研究者，调查者，审查者

参考例句：

• He was a special investigator for the FBI.他是联邦调查局的特别调查员。
• The investigator was able to deduce the crime and find the criminal.调查者能够推出犯罪过程并锁定罪犯。