纪录片《冰冻星球》 第76期 履于薄冰（8）（在线收听）

Killer whales are now a much more common sight in the Arctic.

现在在北极也常常可以见到虎鲸了

Their tall fins make it difficult for them to travel under ice,

长长的鳍虽阻碍了它们在冰下穿梭

but the longer summers mean they can travel much further north

但更长的夏天使它们能去到更北的地方

and make the most of the rich Arctic seas.

充分利用北极海洋里丰富的资源

For animals and people,

在变幻莫测的北极

it will be those that can adapt

对动物和人来说

who will thrive in a changing Arctic.

只有适者才能生存

But the loss of sea ice isn't just an issue for the Arctic,

冰雪融化不单纯是北极的问题

because the state of the ice affects the climate of the whole planet.

因为冰雪的状态影响了整个地球的气候

Because it's white,

冰雪是白色的

the ice reflects up to 90% of the Sun's energy.

它能将90%的太阳能量反射回去

This is called the albedo effect

这叫做反射效应

and it's why we often see heat haze in the Arctic,

这就是为什么在北极

even when the air feels cold.

即使很冷 也能看到热霾

The frozen Arctic Ocean acts as a huge reflector,bouncing back the Sun's heat into space.

冰冻的北冰洋就像一块巨大的反射镜将太阳的热量反射回去

Throughout history, that has helped to cool the planet,

自古以来 这能帮助地球降温

but when the ice melts, it's a different story.

一旦冰雪融化就将是另外一番景象了

Because sea water is dark,

因为海水是深色的

it absorbs most of the Sun's heat.

它吸收了大部分太阳的热量

In the Arctic, this can trigger a chain reaction,

在北极 这会触发连锁反应

as the warming water melts more ice,

更多的冰雪被渐暖的海水融化了

exposing more water to the Sun's heat.

变成了更多的海水 吸收太阳的热量