VOA标准英语2009年-UN Chief 'Optimistic' Deal Can be Reac

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tells reporters Copenhagen conference must be the turning point in global efforts to prevent runaway¹ global warming and usher² in a new era of environmentally sustainable growth.

Margaret Besheer | The United Nations 08 December 2009

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (undated photo)

The U.N. Secretary-General says he is "optimistic" a climate-change agreement can be reached in Copenhagen that will include specific recommendations on key elements that will take effect immediately.  Ban Ki-moon told reporters this conference must be the turning point in global efforts to prevent runaway global warming and usher in a new era of environmentally sustainable growth.

While the United Nations has backed away from its hope of having a legally-binding treaty come out of Copenhagen, it still believes a serious agreement can be reached that will lead the way to a legally-binding one next year.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon told reporters he would go to the Danish capital next week to open the high-level segment that he expects will draw more than 100 heads of state and government.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon (File)

"I am encouraged and I am optimistic.  I expect a robust⁴ agreement at Copenhagen summit meeting that will be effective immediately and include specific recommendations on mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology. This agreement will have an immediate³ operational effect," he said.

His remarks come as scientists released new data showing the first decade of this century will likely turn out to be the warmest ever.  The findings from the World Meteorological Association also predict 2009 will be the 5th warmest year since global record-keeping began in 1850.

Scientists warn that without an agreement to reduce so-called green house gas emissions⁵, global temperatures will continue to rise, with the catastrophic consequences of extreme weather events, the spread of drought and disease, and the extinction⁶ of plant and animal species.

But climate change skeptics have seized on the recent theft of thousands of private e-mail messages from computer servers at a British climate research center to cast doubt on whether global warming is as serious as it has been made out to be.  Mr. Ban dismissed the scandal, saying he did not think it would affect the negotiations⁷ in Copenhagen.

"Nothing that has come out in the public as a result of the recent e-mail hackings has cast doubt on the basic scientific message on climate change, and that message is quite clear - that climate change is happening much, much faster than we realize and we human beings are the primary cause," he said.

Mr. Ban said he is encouraged that negotiations are proceeding⁸ well in Copenhagen, and he hopes the summit can achieve, among other things, ambitious mitigation targets for developed countries and their commitments of financial support to assist developing countries adapt to the impact of global warming.

 

1 runaway   

n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的

参考例句：

• The police have not found the runaway to date.警察迄今没抓到逃犯。
• He was praised for bringing up the runaway horse.他勒住了脱缰之马受到了表扬。

2 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

5 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。

6 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

7 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

8 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。