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178 面对京都协议 美欧各有打算
Mixed Expectations at Conference on Kyoto Agreement
Douglas Bakshian
Luxembourg
16 Jul 2001 16:16 UTC
A United Nations-sponsored conference on global warming opening in Bonn, Germany, today faces a difficult task as it tries to save an international pact to curb pollution. The United States opposes the Kyoto agreement, while European nations are pushing hard for its 1)implementation.
The U.N.-backed Kyoto protocol commits countries to cutting emissions of "greenhouse" gases, especially 2)carbon dioxide 3)emitted by motor vehicles, factories and 4)power stations, specially those that burn coal.
Many scientists say these gases trap the sun's heat and may raise temperatures on Earth, threatening major climate change.
The protocol binds only industrialized nations to make specific cuts in emissions. It offers developing countries technological and financial help to reduce carbon pollution.
European Union officials 5)maintain that, despite Washington's opposition, some progress can still be made on narrowing differences during the Bonn talks.
Japan is a key player in the debate. Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi said an agreement is not likely to be reached in Bonn. He expects greater progress at the next environment meeting to be held next October in Morocco.
Analysts say, without Japan's support, the European Union has little chance of 6)garnering the 7)requisite number of 8)ratifications to make the protocol legally 9)binding.
The Kyoto accord can enter into force only if it is backed by 55 countries representing 55 percent of the industrialized world's emissions.
The United States is the biggest single producer of greenhouse gases. However, the Bush administration has rejected the Kyoto protocol, saying it would hurt the U.S. economy and is unfair because large developing countries like China and India are 10)exempted. Washington says that, in time, it will offer an alternative strategy for combating the problem.
Meanwhile, German police say they are prepared to deal with any trouble if the conference is hit by violent protests that have 11)marred other recent international gatherings.
(1) implementation n.执行
(2) carbon dioxide n.[化]二氧化碳
(3) emit[I5mIt]vt.发出, 放射, 吐露, 散发
(4) power station n.发电所
(5) maintain[meIn5teIn]vt.维持, 维修, 继续, 供养, 主张
(6) garner[5^B:nE(r)]v.储存
(7) requisite[5rekwIzIt]adj.需要的, 必不可少的, 必备的n.必需品
(8) ratification n.批准
(9) bind[baInd]v.绑, 镶边, 装订, 凝固, 约束
(10) exempt[I^5zempt]v.免除adj.被免除的
(11) mar[mB:(r)]v.弄坏, 毁坏, 损害n.损伤, 毁损, 障碍
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