英语杂谈：02 Global warming

   We began with the meeting with Premier¹ Wen Jiabao, and I was frankly² a little surprised he was so focused on US-China Clean Energy Cooperation, framing it in part as important for the US-China relationship, and then also as important for advancing the capabilities³ to reduce carbon emissions⁴. He was so positive about that, that I really thought that this was a serious indication, a very serious Chinese interest.

 

   Oh, I don't think we have obstacles. I think we've got very promising⁵ future, you know, it's interesting, I came here, and I spoke⁶ at a conference celebrating 30 years after normalization⁷. Interestingly, the first agreement signed after normalization was a science and technology agreement.

 

   There are numerous obstacles, some are political, some are technical, some are bureaucratic⁸. The political obstacles, frankly, include the reality that there is distrust on both sides. Many in China view US efforts to engage China in carbon reduction as a US ploy⁹ to try to slow the rate of China's economic growth and prevent China from becoming a major power. Many in the US view China with suspicion, feeling that if the US moves forward rapidly on clean energy, China will use it for competitive advantage by having looser regulations in China, so the Chinese enterprises don't bear the cost of moving to lower carbon processes. So there is mutual¹⁰ suspicion to overcome on both sides. There're many problems in a more technical sphere. The regulatory environments in the two countries differ a great deal. Standards differ quite a bit. We are at different stages of developments. So in many ways, our economies don't have exactly the same needs, especially when you get down to details of technological¹¹ advances.

 

   All countries and particularly all countries that are major emitters of carbon dioxide have every interest to work altogether. We welcome working with India and China, we welcome them all working together. The situation is a lot different from Kyoto. I think there is a much wider recognition of the need to act in concert.

 

   Well, I am not very optimistic about Copenhagen overall. If the test of success is the capacity to get a global agreement on targets, I don't think that's going to happen. At the same time, I think it is a mistake to make that the test of success. Unfortunately, many governments and many news media have done that.

 

   As we approach Copenhagen, we do have an opportunity, and there is time. I know that many worry that the United States Senate may not pass legislation. Well, I believe they are wrong.
 

1 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

2 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

3 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

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 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

7 normalization   

n.（normalisation）正常化，标准化

参考例句：

• The visit signalled the normalization of relations between the two countries.这次访问显示两国关系已经正常化。
• He was pleased to the normalization of relationship between the police and the people.他很高兴警方和人民之间关系的正常化。

8 bureaucratic   

adj.官僚的，繁文缛节的

参考例句：

• The sweat of labour washed away his bureaucratic airs.劳动的汗水冲掉了他身上的官气。
• In this company you have to go through complex bureaucratic procedures just to get a new pencil.在这个公司里即使是领一支新铅笔，也必须通过繁琐的手续。

9 ploy   

n.花招，手段

参考例句：

• I think this is just a government ploy to deceive the public.我认为这只是政府欺骗公众的手段。
• Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder,not a cynical marketing ploy.圣诞节应该是兴奋和美妙的时刻，而不该是一种肆无忌惮的营销策略。

10 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

11 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。