VOA常速英语2007年-World Meteorological Organization: Last Decade

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
13 December 2007

A new report says the last decade is the warmest on record.  The Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization says data from around the world shows extreme weather patterns increasing in every region.  It says the data supports scientific claims that global warming is occurring.  Lisa Schlein reports for VOA.

The World Meteorological Organization says 2007 is shaping up to be the fifth-warmest year on record.  It says this past year has seen, what it calls, a number of remarkable¹ global climatic events. 

These include the record melting of the Arctic Sea ice, which opened the Canadian Northwest Passage for the first time in recorded history.  The year was also notable for the relatively² small Antarctic ozone³ hole, the development of La Nina in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific and devastating⁴ tropical storms.

The head of WMO's World Climate Program, Omar Baddour, says parts of Europe experienced the warmest winter and spring ever recorded.  On the other hand, he says Australia recorded its coldest ever June.

He says extreme drought afflicted⁵ large parts of the United States and Canada, while other areas were hit hard by flooding.

"In terms of flooding, the tropical area, which is usually affected⁶ by monsoon⁷, was recording⁸ extreme flooding events in Asia, India, Pakistan, Africa - where more than 25 million persons were affected," he said.  "Actually, the flooding in Africa, particularly West Africa, Central Africa and East Africa was the worst recorded for many, many years." 

Baddour says the debate on global warming is over.  He says the majority of climate scientists agree that global warming and climate change are occurring.

He says the current observations on climate and weather extremes fit very well with these projections⁹. 

"When you have a single event, a single event - that means one year or a single event during that year - we cannot attribute it directly to global warming or climate change," he added.  "But, if you put the events all together on a long-term time series, of course, this fits well with what the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projected." 

Baddour notes the panel, which received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work, projected the intensification¹⁰ and increased frequency of extreme climate events.

He says one of the most visible manifestations¹¹ of this is sea-level rise, which continues at rates substantially above the average for the 20th century.

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

3 ozone   

n.臭氧，新鲜空气

参考例句：

• The ozone layer is a protective layer around the planet Earth.臭氧层是地球的保护层。
• The capacity of ozone can adjust according of requirement.臭氧的产量可根据需要或调节。

4 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

5 afflicted   

使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• About 40% of the country's population is afflicted with the disease. 全国40%左右的人口患有这种疾病。
• A terrible restlessness that was like to hunger afflicted Martin Eden. 一阵可怕的、跟饥饿差不多的不安情绪折磨着马丁·伊登。

6 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。

7 monsoon   

n.季雨，季风，大雨

参考例句：

• The monsoon rains started early this year.今年季雨降雨开始得早。
• The main climate type in that region is monsoon.那个地区主要以季风气候为主要气候类型。

8 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

9 projections   

预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物

参考例句：

• Their sales projections are a total thumbsuck. 他们的销售量预测纯属估计。
• The council has revised its projections of funding requirements upwards. 地方议会调高了对资金需求的预测。

10 intensification   

n.激烈化，增强明暗度；加厚

参考例句：

• The intensification of the immunological response represents the body's natural defense. 增强免疫反应代表身体的自然保卫。 来自辞典例句
• Agriculture in the developing nations is not irreversibly committed, to a particular pattern of intensification. 发展中国家的农业并没有完全为某种集约化形式所束缚。 来自辞典例句

11 manifestations   

n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式）

参考例句：

• These were manifestations of the darker side of his character. 这些是他性格阴暗面的表现。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• To be wordly-wise and play safe is one of the manifestations of liberalism. 明哲保身是自由主义的表现之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》