VOA标准英语2012--Small Island States Tackle Climate Change

Small Island States Tackle Climate Change

 

Experts from more than 50 small island countries are meeting this week in Mauritius to discuss climate change and food security. The so-called Small Island Developing States are home to more than 50 million people.

The small island nations include Haiti, Fiji, Jamaica and Mauritius, which is hosting the meeting. called Small Island Economies: From Vulnerabilities to Opportunities.

Among those taking part is Michael Hailu, director of the Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation.

Small islands, big problems

He says, “Small island developing countries have a lot of vulnerabilities because of their small size. They depend very much on single commodities or tourism for their incomes. They’re also vulnerable to climate change and other natural disasters. So they have a very specific set of problems.”

Hailu said the small island nations and territories are already seeing the effects of climate change.

“There are extreme weather conditions affecting many of the islands, more frequent hurricanes and drought and all that. So they are very much susceptible¹ and they’ve had a lot of natural disasters from Haiti to many of the islands that have been facing these problems,” he said.

They’re also concerned about volatile² food prices that have been common since the 2007/2008 global food crisis.

“The impact of the food crisis has been quite large in small countries because they import a lot of their foods from outside to mostly cater³ for the large number of tourists that is coming in. And when prices go up globally they are very much affected⁴ in terms of their import bills. But now they are putting a lot more attention into developing their local agriculture,” he said.

Hailu said this not only reduces imported food bills, but provides consumers with what he calls a local healthier alternative.

Becoming more resilient

Conference participants are looking at both challenges and opportunities.

“The meeting is basically to look at how they can improve their resilience to these kinds of problems; and how they can be in a better position to react to these crises that they face from time to time,” he said.

The Island nations are expected to voice their concerns and ideas at June’s RIO+20 conference on sustainable development. The United Nations classifies 52 countries and territories as Small Island Developing States. Most are in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. 

1 susceptible   

adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的

参考例句：

• Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
• We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。

2 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

3 cater   

vi.(for/to)满足，迎合；(for)提供饮食及服务

参考例句：

• I expect he will be able to cater for your particular needs.我预计他能满足你的特殊需要。
• Most schools cater for children of different abilities.大多数学校能够满足具有不同天资的儿童的需要。

4 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。