VOA常速英语2008年-Environmentalists Support Moves to Curb Electro

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
11 February 2008

Nigeria's leading environmental group has endorsed¹ plans by the government to restrict the importation of used computers, in an attempt to control a growing e-waste disposal problem. From Abuja, Gilbert da Costa reports dealing² with e-waste is going to be a challenge, because of the high demand for used computers in Nigeria.

 

Old computers are shipped into Nigeria duty-free, making them affordable³ and popular among ordinary Nigerians.

 

The federal government says most of the appliances end up as toxic⁴ waste and a potential environmental and health hazards.

 

An American-based non-governmental organization, Basel Action Network, reported last year that some 400,000 second-hand⁵ computers are imported every month through the Lagos seaport⁶.

 

The government hopes the introduction of duties will stem the current influx⁷.

 

Environmentalists have long warned about the implication of the proliferation of e-waste across Nigeria. Piles of discarded computers litter dump sites in Nigerian cities, often close to densely⁸ populated neighborhoods.

 

Nigerian Environmental Society Secretary General Leslie Adogame says e-waste is a serious problem in Nigeria.

 

"The recent decision by the federal government look into the continuous importation of these computers is a welcomed idea," said Adogame. "E-waste has become a major source of very hazardous⁹ chemical substances. And, because we have an environment that is unregulated, a lot of environmental poisoning has been attributed to the accumulation of some of these e-wastes."

 

With a population of more than 140 million, analysts¹⁰ say Nigeria has been turned into a huge dumping ground for a range of merchandise.

 

Adogame says the authorities should urgently seek recycling of e-waste in Nigeria.

 

"The recycling option is very paramount¹¹ if we are ready to do that. And, it will need a life cycle trading approach. Because we need to follow the importers of such equipment up till the end of the consumers," said Adogame. "Recycling is a very good option."

 

Most developed countries are increasingly regulating the disposal of unwanted electronic appliances. Nigeria, as in many other developing countries, is yet to rise up to the challenge.

1 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

3 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

4 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

5 second-hand   

adj.用过的，旧的，二手的

参考例句：

• I got this book by chance at a second-hand bookshop.我赶巧在一家旧书店里买到这本书。
• They will put all these second-hand goods up for sale.他们将把这些旧货全部公开出售。

6 seaport   

n.海港，港口，港市

参考例句：

• Ostend is the most important seaport in Belgium.奥斯坦德是比利时最重要的海港。
• A seaport where ships can take on supplies of coal.轮船能够补充煤炭的海港。

7 influx   

n.流入，注入

参考例句：

• The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
• Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。

8 densely   

ad.密集地；浓厚地

参考例句：

• A grove of trees shadowed the house densely. 树丛把这幢房子遮蔽得很密实。
• We passed through miles of densely wooded country. 我们穿过好几英里茂密的林地。

9 hazardous   

adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的

参考例句：

• These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
• Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。

10 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

11 paramount   

a.最重要的，最高权力的

参考例句：

• My paramount object is to save the Union and destroy slavery.我的最高目标是拯救美国，摧毁奴隶制度。
• Nitrogen is of paramount importance to life on earth.氮对地球上的生命至关重要。