VOA常速英语2007年-Scientists, Artists, Engineers Discuss Climate

By Mandy Clark
London
27 November 2007
 

A gathering¹ of scientists, artists and engineers met recently in London to discuss ways of helping² Africa deal with the effects of global warming. VOA's Mandy Clark reports from London.

The message of climate change through the medium of music. It may seem an unlikely way to deal with an issue that many scientists say is set to devastate³ large regions of the world, especially Africa.

Yet, Ghanaian actress Madam Adelina Ama Boabeng says artists are key to spreading the word about global warming. "You ask rural African people about climate change and I'm sure they have no idea at all about what is happening. I think that somebody has to carry that message to the rural folk, someone has to explain it to them in a language that they understand, in a medium that they will understand and relate with and I think that is where the artist comes in."

Julian Hunt is professor of Climate Modeling at University College London. He set out what he believes Africa will face in the coming years.

"The computer models for the next half century and century show progressively rising temperatures,” he says, “which will have a very big impact because already there are countries in Africa that are very hot and quite close to the limits where life and vegetation are adversely⁴ affected⁵ by higher temperatures."

Hunt also warned of a rise in extreme weather patterns, with increased flooding in some regions and severe drought in others. He says, of all the continents, Africa has benefited the least from the causes of climate change, but stands to be damaged the most.

The Ghana High Commissioner⁶ to Britain, Annan Cato, says he is frustrated⁷ that powerful nations are not seriously tackling the issue. "Those who have contributed the most to global warming seem not to want to take responsibility for what they have done."

To illustrate⁸ the impact of greenhouse gases, photographer Nick Cobbing captured the melting of Greenland's iceberg⁹. Artist Roumouald Hazoume used gas canisters in the shape of a slaving boat to represent how pollution is now the continent's new master. Engineers and designers mapped out how they could help curb¹⁰ carbon emissions¹¹.

Architect Elsie Owusu says her community has an important role to play in the fight against global warming. "We can look at sustainable design. We can look at reusable energy. We can look at solar power. We can look at how much water is used and the recycling of water. And these are all problems which architects, not on their own but with the help of engineers, landscape designers and the whole design team, can work on together."

That message of working together was echoed widely at the conference. And many say it is the solution to Africa's climate crisis.

1 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 devastate   

v.使荒芜，破坏，压倒

参考例句：

• A few days before,a fire had devastated large parts of Windsor Castle.几天前，温莎城堡的大部分被一场大火烧毁。
• Earthquakes can also cause tsunamis,which devastate coastal regions.地震还引发海啸，它直接破坏海岸地区。

4 adversely   

ad.有害地

参考例句：

• We commented adversely upon the imbecility of that message of telegraphic style. 我们对着这条电报式的愚蠢的留言发泄了一通不满。
• Widely fluctuating exchange rates may adversely affect international trade. 浮动幅度很大的汇率可能会对国际贸易产生有害的影响。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

6 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

7 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 illustrate   

v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图

参考例句：

• The company's bank statements illustrate its success.这家公司的银行报表说明了它的成功。
• This diagram will illustrate what I mean.这个图表可说明我的意思。

9 iceberg   

n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人

参考例句：

• The ship hit an iceberg and went under.船撞上一座冰山而沉没了。
• The glacier calved a large iceberg.冰河崩解而形成一个大冰山。

10 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

11 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。