世界节假日博览 第162期:国际生物多样性日

 　　The International Day for Biological Diversity, sometimes called World Biodiversity Day, is a United Nations holiday based on biodiversity issues. It started in 1993 and is held on May 22. This is the date of the Rio Earth Summit of 1992. This was a major meeting to discuss life on our planet. A total of 172 governments attended the Summit, with a total of 108 heads of state. The main topics were the environment and sustainable development. Governments discussed ways to halt the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources and to protect ecosystems¹. The day now focuses on the threats climate change has on biodiversity. Experts say that tackling both together will mean we have a better chance of keeping the Earth's natural riches.

　　国际生物多样性日,有时也叫作世界生物多样性日，是一个基于生物多样性课题的联合国节日。1993年，联合国设定每年5月22日是国际生物多样性日，与1992年的里约地球峰会日期相同。里约地球峰会是探讨地球生命的主要会议，172个政府组织、108位政府首脑出席了此次峰会。峰会的主题是环境和可持续发展，政府首脑探讨了不再破坏自然资源与保护生态系统的方法。国际生物多样性日现在注重的是气候变化对生物多样性的威胁。专家称国际生物多样性日与里约地球峰会的结合将意味着我们有更好的机会保持地球自然资源的多样性。

　　Biodiversity is the total variety of all forms of life on our Earth. It includes life at the genetic² and cell level, through to all plant, fish, insect and animal species. Biodiversity also includes the thousands, perhaps millions, of ecosystems that make up our natural world. The word "biodiversity" arrived in 1985. It is a contraction³ of the words "biological” and “diversity". The word has grown into a very important concept we all need to understand. A respect for biodiversity means an understanding that we must help save our environment. Today, biodiversity is one of the world's most important issues. Many say that together with climate change, damage to biodiversity is the biggest threat to our survival.

　　生物多样性是指所有地球生命的全部种类，包括基因物种和细胞物种，涉及所有植物，鱼类，昆虫等其他动物种类。生物多样性也包括上千种甚至是数百万种的构成自然世界的生态系统。“生物多样性”一词出现在1985年，是英语单词“生物”和“多样性”的缩写形式。这个词已经演变成我们都需要理解的重要概念。尊重生物多样性就意味着我们必须拯救环境。现在，生物多样性是世界上最重要的议题之一，很多人认为气候变化和生物多样性的破坏是对我们生存的最大威胁。

　　1. sustainable development 可持续发展

　　例句：Partnership⁴ program was founded to bring these groups together to share best practices, foster innovation, and encourage sustainable development.

　　这个生态伙伴关系计划的目的，是把这些组织汇集在一起，交流最佳做法、促进革新、鼓励可持续的发展。

　　2. tackle together 共同处理

　　例句：What can we do about it?" That style of communication will lessen⁵ your partner's defensive⁶ reaction, and turn an obstacle into something you tackle together.

　　这样的沟通可以减轻你伴侣的防御反应，把你对其的干扰变成你们共同处理的事情。

　　3. at level 在……水平上

　　例句：At level 2, the conversation changes to make room for self-protection.

　　在2级水平上，对话开始为自我保护留出空间。

　　4. damage to 损坏

　　例句：Every firm insures itself against loss or damage to its property.

　　每个公司为了防止财产的损失或损坏都进了保险。

1 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句

2 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

4 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

5 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。

6 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。