环球英语 — 315：Holland’s Rising Waters

　　Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight¹. I’m Joshua Leo.
Voice 2
And I’m Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Today’s Spotlight is on ways the country of Holland is learning² to live with rising waters.
Voice 1
On January 31, 1953, a horrible storm hit the coast of Holland. The storm produced strong winds. And, the water of the North Sea rose higher. Gerry Myerman was just 9 years old. He remembers standing³ with his father next to the sea. A tall barrier stood between them and the sea. It held back the water. But Gerry’s father observed that the water might come over the barrier. If that happened their whole town would suffer greatly.
Voice 2
Gerry and his father ran into town. They woke up the town leaders. They had a meeting. But, nobody believed Gerry’s father. The leaders did not believe that the water would rise above the barrier. They said it would not happen because it had never happened before. The town did nothing.
Voice 1
An hour later the water rose above the barrier. Icy cold water flooded into the town. 2,000 people died. And the water destroyed over 72,000 homes. The people of the town demanded that something be done.
Voice 2
The Dutch government acted right away. They called in the country’s best engineers. The engineers created new barriers, new dams, and new metal floodgates. They believed that the water of the North Sea would never break through their barriers again.
Voice 1
Holland is a country that sits below sea-level. For over a 1,000 years, the people have tried to control the water of the sea surrounding them. And they have succeeded. Barriers protect Holland’s coast. And they are some of the best structures in the world. The people living along the coast no longer fear the water. But, things are changing.
Voice 2
Erik Boessenkool lives in Holland. He works⁴ with the Dutch government’s water planning service. He believes that something is threatening the Dutch water barriers. He says that soon the barriers will not be able to protect the coast. What is this threat? Boessenkool describes the threat in six words. “Climate change, climate change, climate change.”
Voice 1
The Earth’s climate is changing. Along with climate change comes rising temperatures. Rising temperatures mean rising water. Now, after a 1,000 years of keeping the sea out, the Dutch are trying to accept new ways to deal with the sea. They have decided⁵ to let the water in. And they are trying new ways to live with the rising water.
Voice 2
There are many experts who study climate change models. These experts believe that there will be more winter rain in Europe. That will bring high water to the rivers that flow into Holland. Because of this the government of Holland has decided to make some changes. It will not build higher barriers to contain the water. Instead, the government has decided to lower the barriers in forty [40] different areas. These areas will flood when the rivers rise. This will lower the pressure from the other barriers further down the river. It will prevent more areas from flooding. This new project is called “Room for the River.”
Voice 1
But, what will happen to the people living in these 40 flood areas? Their lives will have to change. Some will have to move away. They are not happy, but they understand the need. But, other people have a different idea. They want to learn to live with the rising water. They are asking the world this question, “Do we have to live on dry land?”
Voice 2
Today Dutch scientists, engineers and builders are coming up with ways to turn difficulty into opportunity. They are working together to design a “new” Holland, a Holland that will float on water. They have already created houses that can float if necessary.
Voice 1
You see, these houses have special bases. The bases sit on the river bottom. The bases are actually under water. If the river level rises, the house and the base will float up with the water level. Special pipes keep the house connected to the electricity lines even when the house is floating. Mariana Smits owns one of these floating houses.
Voice 2
Mariana’s house has not had to float yet. But climate experts estimate⁶ that the river will start flooding about once every 12 years. So, Mariana will be ready.
Voice 3
“In the other village where we lived, there was always the water. I was very scared. Two times we had to quickly leave our old house because of rising water. This was very scary for us. Then we got the chance to buy this house. It is a safe place.”
Voice 1
Builders in Holland are excited about floating houses. Before, they had to worry about floods. But now, they believe that they can build in flood areas. And their ideas have expanded to include more than just houses.
Voice 2
Experts believe that floating structures can be very stable and strong. Connecting more floating structures together makes the whole structure even stronger. That is how they plan to create a floating village.
Voice 1
We will not see a floating village for a long time. But, the idea is there. And the time is right to be thinking about ways to deal with climate change. As time goes on, more and more people will have to change their lives because of rising waters. In fact, the United Nations’ reports that floods will affect millions of people in the future.
Voice 2
The Dutch have always been the experts when dealing⁷ with rising water. For years they have successfully held back the water. But, times are changing. The world is facing a new problem. And building higher walls will not solve it. Finding⁸ new ways to live with environmental change is one good way to face the problem of climate change. Floating homes, gardens and villages may help many people in the future. But, another good way to face the problem of climate change is to learn ways to stop climate change.
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 estimate   

n.估计，估量；评价，看法；vt.估计，估量

参考例句：

• We estimate the cost to be five thousand dollars.我们估计费用为5000美元。
• The lowest estimate would put the worth of the jewel at ＄200.按最低的评估这块宝石也值200美元。

7 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。

8 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。