VOA标准英语2011--World Bank: Much at Stake at Climate Conference

World Bank: Much at Stake at Climate Conference

The World Bank says tough decisions lie ahead at the upcoming U.N. Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa. A top bank official says nations need to decide on a long-term strategy.

Andrew Steer¹, the World Bank’s Special Envoy² on Climate Change, says there are two big issues that will dominate the conference, known as COP 17. The first is what to do after the Kyoto Protocol³ expires next year. The protocol is linked to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change that sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions⁴.

Steer said, “The stakes are high. This is a decade when action is absolutely central and yet it’s also a decade in which obviously the economic conditions are not conducive⁵ to breakthrough, if you like.”

It’s not clear what will follow the Kyoto Protocol.

“But what really does matter,” he said, “is that Durban agrees on a process by which countries in the near future sit down and ask themselves: Are we doing enough?”

The second major issue is funding. How do you pay for climate change projects when countries are cutting spending in response to the global economic crisis?

More than 130 countries have now asked the World Bank for help in dealing⁶ with climate change.

“Climate change is already threatening development progress. Already today, we’re seeing the impacts of climate change in several of our client countries,” he said.

Africa centric

Steer said agriculture is the area most threatened by climate change, with the potential to dramatically reduce yields. At the same time, agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to rising temperatures.

“If you add the direct greenhouse gases from agriculture, which account for about 14 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions – if you add to that the impact of agriculture on deforestation, probably over 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are due to agriculture,” he said

The World Bank special envoy said South Africa and the African Union hope to make the climate conference Africa centric.

“It would mean that the psychology⁷ of Africa towards climate change could be changed with regard, for example, to energy access. Sixty-five percent of African households don’t have access to electricity. Most people might think: Well, climate change would surely slow down those 65 percent getting electricity. Our view and I think the view of the host is that actually climate change needs to accelerate those people getting electricity in their houses. Why? Because if they don’t get electricity it’ll be even worse,” he said.

Steer also said Africa is only using 10 percent of its potential for hydro power. He adds the continent has a huge potential in renewable energy resources.

The U.N. Climate Change Conference runs from November 29th through December 9th.

1 steer   

vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶

参考例句：

• If you push the car, I'll steer it.如果你来推车，我就来驾车。
• It's no use trying to steer the boy into a course of action that suits you.想说服这孩子按你的方式行事是徒劳的。

2 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

3 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。

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 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

6 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

7 psychology   

n.心理，心理学，心理状态

参考例句：

• She has a background in child psychology.她受过儿童心理学的教育。
• He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.他在剑桥大学学习哲学和心理学。