名校励志英语演讲 10:给大学毕业生的几个忠告

 　　In the coming decades, we will almost certainly face higher oil prices and be in a carbon-constrained² economy. We have the opportunity to lead in development of a new, industrial revolution. The great hockey player, Wayne Gretzky, when asked, how he positions himself on the ice, he replied,“ I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it’s been.” America should do the same.

　　在未来的几十年中，我们几乎肯定会面对更高的油价和更严厉的二氧化碳排放政策。这是一场新的工业革命，美国有机会成为领头军。当问及伟大的冰球选手韦恩·格里兹基如何在冰上跑位时，他回答说：“我滑向冰球下一步的位置，而不是它现在的位置。”美国也应该这样做。

　　The Obama administration is laying a new foundation for a prosperous and sustainable energy future, but we don’t have all of the answers. That’s where you come in. In this address, I am asking you, the Harvard graduates, to join us. As our future intellectual leaders, take the time to learn more about what’s at stake, and then act on that knowledge. As future scientists and engineers, I ask you to give us better technology solutions. As future economists³ and political scientists, I ask you to create better policy options. As future business leaders, I ask that you make sustainability an integral part of your business.

　　奥巴马政府正在为美国的繁荣和可持续能源奠定新的基础。但是我们不能为所有的问题都找到答案。这就需要你们的参与。在本次演讲中，我请求在座的各位哈佛毕业生加入我们。你们是我们未来的智力领袖，请花时间加深理解目前的危险局势，然后采取相应的行动。你们是未来的科学家和工程师，我要求你们给我们更好的技术方案。你们是未来的经济学家和政治学家，我要求你们创造更好的政策选择。你们是未来的企业家，我要求你们将可持续发展作为你们事业中不可分割的一部分。

　　Finally, as humanists, I ask that you speak to our common humanity. One of the cruelest ironies⁴ about climate change is that the ones who will be hurt the most are the most innocent: the worlds poorest and those yet to be born.

　　最后，你们是人道主义者，我要求你们为了我们共同的人道主义说话。气候变化带来的最残酷的讽刺之一，就是，最受伤害的人恰恰就是最无辜的人——世界上那些最穷的人们和那些还没有出生的人。

　　The coda to this last movement is borrowed from two humanists.

　　在这最后一个乐章的结尾，我想引用两个人道主义者的话。

　　constrain¹

　　vt. 抑制，强迫

　　eg. Cold weather constrained the plant's growth.

　　寒冷的天气抑制了植物的生长。

　　bockey

　　n. 曲棍球；冰球

　　eg. John played goal for the hockey team.

　　约翰在那个曲棍队当守门员。

　　at stake

　　phr. 在危急关头，在危险中

　　eg. Take care how you answer，for your life and salvation⁵ are at stake on it.

　　回答的时候你要慎重，因为这关系到你的生死存亡。

　　coda

　　n. 结尾部分

　　eg. I wrote a different kind of epilogue and then wrote the coda.

　　我写下了一个不同的结尾，接着写下了终结句。

1 constrain   

vt.限制，约束；克制，抑制

参考例句：

• She tried to constrain herself from a cough in class.上课时她竭力忍住不咳嗽。
• The study will examine the factors which constrain local economic growth.这项研究将考查抑制当地经济发展的因素。

2 constrained   

adj.束缚的,节制的

参考例句：

• The evidence was so compelling that he felt constrained to accept it. 证据是那样的令人折服，他觉得不得不接受。
• I feel constrained to write and ask for your forgiveness. 我不得不写信请你原谅。

3 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 ironies   

n.反语( irony的名词复数 )；冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事；嘲弄

参考例句：

• It was one of life's little ironies. 那是生活中的一个小小的嘲弄。
• History has many ironies. 历史有许多具有讽刺意味的事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 salvation   

n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困

参考例句：

• Salvation lay in political reform.解救办法在于政治改革。
• Christians hope and pray for salvation.基督教徒希望并祈祷灵魂得救。