VOA新闻杂志2024--April 22 Marks Earth Day Anniversary

April 22 Marks Earth Day Anniversary¹

　　Earth Day celebrates its 54th anniversary on Monday, April 22. On this date each year, millions of people around the world mark the importance of protecting the environment.

　　Worries about pollution and the environment began to increase in the 1960s. In 1962, American scientist Rachel Carson published her book "Silent² Spring." It warned³ of the use of a chemical called DDT. The chemical kills insects but also harms larger animals. The book became popular in the United⁴ States and other countries. As a result, more people became concerned about the environment.

　　Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator⁵ from the state of Wisconsin, had the idea that would become Earth Day. Nelson saw damage from a large oil spill⁶ in the ocean near the state of California⁷ in January of 1969. At the same time, people at some universities were holding events called "teach-ins" to call for action against the war in Vietnam⁸.

　　Nelson's idea was to hold a national "teach-in" on the environment. Along with environmental⁹ activists¹⁰, Nelson worked to expand the idea beyond universities.

　　The activists wanted as many students as possible to take part. So, they chose a weekday between spring break and final exams. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place.

　　After the first Earth Day, the U.S. Congress¹¹ approved more laws to protect the environment. In December of 1970 it added¹² more rules to the Clean Air Act. And in 1972, it passed the Clean Water Act.

　　Many consider Earth Day to be the beginning of the modern environmental movement. In 2000, the Earth Day organization started placing more attention on the warming of the Earth's atmosphere.

　　This year, the event is centering on the harm that plastics can bring to the environment. Activists are calling for the end of single-use plastics.

　　Earth Day is not an official holiday in the United States. But many groups use the day to put together volunteer events, such as cleanups of natural areas.

　　At the website EarthDay.org, you can see a list of events around the world or organize your own event.

　　I'm Andrew Smith.

　　Andrew Smith adapted this story based on reporting from The Associated¹³ Press.

1 anniversary   

n.周年(纪念日)

参考例句：

• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。
• Today is my parents'30th wedding anniversary.今天是我父母结婚30周年纪念日。

2 silent   

adj.安静的，不吵闹的，沉默的，无言的；n.(复数)默剧

参考例句：

• Immediately on his beginning to speak,everyone was silent.他一讲话，大家顿时安静下来。
• The boys looked at the conjuror in silent wonder. 孩子们目瞪口呆地看着那魔术师。

3 warned   

v.警告( warn的过去式和过去分词 )；提醒；告诫；预先通知

参考例句：

• Motorists have been warned to beware of icy roads. 已经提醒开车的人当心冰封的路面。
• I've warned her countless times. 我警告过她无数次了。

4 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

5 senator   

n.参议员，评议员

参考例句：

• The senator urged against the adoption of the measure.那参议员极力反对采取这项措施。
• The senator's speech hit at government spending.参议员的讲话批评了政府的开支。

6 spill   

n.溢出，溅出，涌出，摔下，暴跌，溢出量，木片，小塞子；vt.使溢出，使散落，洒

参考例句：

• The coffee is so full that it might spill over.咖啡太满可能会溢出来。
• He took a spill when he rode the horse.他骑马时从马上跌了下来。

7 California   

n.加利福尼亚(美国)

参考例句：

• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。
• We were driving on a California freeway.我们正沿着加利福尼亚的一条快车道驾车行驶。

8 Vietnam   

n.越南

参考例句：

• Vietnam is suffering from food shortage.越南正遭受食物短缺之苦。
• Laos is on the west of Vietnam.老挝在越南西面。

9 environmental   

adj.环境的

参考例句：

• A global environmental meeting is going to be held here.一个全球环境会议将在这里举行。
• We need to cure our environmental problems.我们需要解决环境问题。

10 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 Congress   

n.(代表)大会；(C-:美国等国的)国会，议会

参考例句：

• There were some days to wait before the Congress.大会的召开还有几天时间。
• After 18 years in Congress,he intented to return to private life.在国会供职18年后，他打算告老还乡。

12 added   

adj.更多的，附加的，额外的

参考例句：

• They have added a new scene at the beginning.在开头他们又增加了一场戏。
• The pop music added to our enjoyment of the film.片中的流行音乐使我们对这部电影更加喜爱。

13 associated   

adj.联合的

参考例句：

• the risks associated with taking drugs 与吸毒有关的危险
• I don't want to be associated with your scheme; I'm contracting out. 我不想参与你们的计划，我要退出。