2007年VOA标准英语-US States Seek to Take Lead in Pollution Contro

By Brian Wagner
Miami
13 July 2007

The governor of the southern U.S. state of Florida has signed some of the nation's toughest laws aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. In Miami, VOA's Brian Wagner reports that environmentalists are urging Florida and other states to craft their own environmental policies because they say federal officials have been slow to act.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist during a news conference at ServetoPreserve, A Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, in Miami, 12 July 2007

Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed the measures into law during an environmental conference with researchers, business leaders and environmental protection groups.

State officials organized the event to highlight environmental research being done at local universities, and to generate interest in more environmental-friendly business practices.

Crist has sought to take the lead on environmental issues by installing solar panels on the governor's mansion¹ and driving a vehicle that can run on ethanol.

He says he hopes his state's actions will spur others to act to reduce their role in global warming, which many scientists believe is caused by greenhouse gas emissions³.

"Scientists say that climate change could endanger Florida's agricultural industry, cause violent patterns, jeopardize⁴ also our water supply," he said. "These are things we must address, things we are addressing."

Under the new rules, Florida's power companies must reduce power plant emissions and increase the share of power from renewable energy sources from about two percent to 20 percent. The measures also will require automobile⁵ emissions to be lower than federal standards.

Environmental groups say Florida's pollution controls will be some of the toughest in the nation. They say they provide an example for other states.

Critics of the federal government say Washington has been too slow to raise environmental standards in recent years, prompting Florida and many other states to pass their own legislation. The U.S. Congress is expected to consider legislation to create stronger emission² controls later this year.

Terry Tamminen, an environmentalist who advised Florida on the new measures and spoke⁶ at the conference, said action at the state level may help pressure the federal government.

"I think we are at a political tipping point," he said. "So your leadership, Governor Crist, on this issue is absolutely essential to winning the battle here in the United States, which in turn will send the message to China, India and many other countries around the world."

Earlier this year, President Bush called for a series of meetings with 15 key nations to agree on new global targets for reducing greenhouse gases. A recent Dutch report says China has surpassed the United States as the largest emitter of carbon dioxide, the gas blamed for global warming. U.S. officials have said any international plan must include China and India.

1 mansion   

n.大厦，大楼；宅第

参考例句：

• The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
• The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。

2 emission   

n.发出物，散发物；发出，散发

参考例句：

• Rigorous measures will be taken to reduce the total pollutant emission.采取严格有力措施，降低污染物排放总量。
• Finally,the way to effectively control particulate emission is pointed out.最后，指出有效降低颗粒排放的方向。

3 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。

4 jeopardize   

vt.危及，损害

参考例句：

• Overworking can jeopardize your health.工作过量可能会危及你的健康。
• If you are rude to the boss it may jeopardize your chances of success.如果你对上司无礼，那就可能断送你成功的机会。

5 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。