global a. 1.全球的，世界范围的 2.包括一切的，总括的◆ecology n. 生态，生态学undertake vt. 1.担任，承担 2.同意做，要做，答应initiative n. 1.解决困难所采取的行动，初步行动 2.采取行动的能力（权利或权力），主动权，优先权 3.主动，进取精神（尤指不求助于外力的）abundant a. 1.很多的，丰富的，充裕的 2.富于，富有■cod n. 鳕鱼species n. 物种，种类■herring n. 鲱鱼fisherman n. 渔民，渔夫，渔工◆ambitious a. 1.显示或需要雄心的 2.充满野心的，雄心勃勃的（尤指为金钱或功名的）diverse a. 1.种类不同的，多种多样的 2.不同的，相异的diversity n. 差异，多样，多样性tropical a. 热带的，（生长在）热带的，炎热的■clear-cut vt. 砍伐殆尽（一块林区）◆erosion n. 1.腐蚀，侵蚀 2.削弱，减少；损害extensive a. 1.（指面积）辽阔的，广阔的 2.广泛的，大量的series n. 一连串，一系列，连续的事物（件）jungle n. 1.丛林，密林 2.斗争激烈的地方colony n. 1.侨民（集合名词） 2.【生】群居动物，生长在一地的植物，群体（集合名词）colonize vt. 在（一个地区）开拓殖民地，使殖民地化reverse vt. 1.反转，颠倒，翻转 2.互换（功能、地位等） 3.撤消，取消n. 1.相对，相反 2.背面，反面 3.挫折，不幸a. 相对的，相反的，颠倒的tax n. 1.税，税额 2.负担vt. 1.对 .... 征税，要求 ... 付税 2.使负重担，使受沉重压力finance vt. 为（项目）提供经费，为……提供资金n. 1.理财（尤指公款），金融财政 2.（个人、公司、政府的）财源，资金conflict n. 1.（指意见、欲望）冲突，抵触 2. 斗争，战斗vi. 与... ...相反, 抵触, 冲突industrialize (industrialise) v. （使）工业化◆contaminate vt. 污染，玷污，弄脏，污损contamination n. 污染，玷污biology n. 生物学biologically ad. 生物学上treaty n. 1.（国与国之间缔结的）条约 2.（尤指购置财产时人与人之间的）协约，约定，协商fund n. 1.专款，基金 2.贮藏，储存 3.财源，金钱，现款vt. （为公共机构、工程项目）提供资金explosive a, 1.激增的，迅速扩大的 2.爆炸的，爆发的，爆炸性的n. 炸药removal n. 1.去除，消除 2.挪走，移走，搬迁sponsor vt. 1.赞助，支持 2.发起，举办，主办n. 1.发起人，保证人 2.资助人，赞助人cash n. 现钞vt. 兑换现金，兑现■cassava n. [C] 木薯■maize n. [U] 玉蜀黍，玉米generate vt. 1.生成，产生（光、热、电等） 2.引起，产生regenerate vt. 重建，复兴，革新observer n. 观察家，观察的人，观察员strengthen vt. 使坚强，使强壮，加固，巩固，加强，增强impact n. 1.对... ...的强烈的印象或影响 2.碰撞，撞击v. 1.影响，作用 2.碰撞，撞击frown v. 1.不赞成，反对 2.2. 皱眉，蹙额n. [C] 皱眉shelter n. 1.住所，住处 2.掩蔽部，掩蔽处，躲避处 3.掩蔽，遮蔽，保护vt. 掩蔽，遮蔽，庇护vi. 躲难，避难wage vt. 发起，进行（战争、运动等）n. 工资，报酬（通常按周计酬）massive a. 1.大量的，大规模的 2.大的，大而重的，大块的ad n. 广告◆induce vt. 1.引诱，诱导 2.导致，引起inducement n. 诱因，引诱物，动机convert v. 1.（使）改变（信仰或态度等） 2.改变，转变target n. 1.（欲达到的）目标，指标 2.标的，靶vt. 把... ...作为目标Phrases and Expressionsconcern with 忙于，从事，关心regardless of 不顾，不管spring up 迅速或突然的出现，发生，长出take measures to 采取措施，采取办法as a result of 因... ...aim at 意欲或试图做agree to 同意，允诺，赞成set up 建立，创立lead to 导致cash crop 经济作物birth control 节育vacant a. 1.未被占用的，空着的 2.（职位、工作等）空缺的 3.茫然的，空虚的rare a. 1.稀有的，罕见的；冷僻的 2.稀罕的，珍奇的option n. 1.供选择的事物，可选择的事物；选择 2.选择权，选择自由，选择enormous a. 巨大的，庞大的，极大的private a. 1.私人的，个人的，私用的，私有的 2.秘密的，私下的 3.私营的，私立的，非国家控制的ownership n. 物主身份，拥有（权）◆literally ad. 照字义，逐字地，真正地urban a. 都市的，位于都市的，住在都市的◆pave vt. 给（道路路面）铺上石板或砖mud n. 湿泥，泥childhood n. 童年时期，孩提时代bulb n. 1.[C] 长在土里的植物球茎（如百合、洋葱、郁金香等植物） 2. [C]电灯泡container n. 容器（箱、瓶等）amateur a. 业余的，非专业的n. （指不为赚钱而从事体育或艺术的）业余爱好者gardener n. (因爱好或挣钱) 在花园从事劳动的人，园丁pea n. [C] 豌豆，豌豆属植物salad n. 1. [U] 适于生吃的莴笋、莴苣或其他蔬菜 2. [C, U] 沙拉（凉拌菜），生菜costly a. 昂贵的，代价高的ditch n. （在田边、路边挖的，尤指用来储水或排水的）沟，渠道lorry n. [C] 卡车erect vt. 1.建造，建立，竖立 2.树立，直立a. 竖直的，挺直的，直立的mister n. （略作Mr. 全称很少用于书面）先生vice a. 代理的，副的nineteen num. 十九，十九个conservation n. 保护，保存, 节省trail n. 1.小道，崎岖小路 2.踪迹，痕迹v. 1.拖，拉，下垂 2.（在比赛中）落后，失利vt. 追踪，尾随characterize (英characterise) vt. 1.成为... ...的特征，以... ...为特征 2.描绘（人或物的）特征，归纳（人或物的）特征housing n. 1.住宅或公寓，住宿（集合名词） 2.提供住宿，住房供给recreation n. 休养，娱乐，消遣，精神放松acre n. 英亩（=4,840平方码或约4,047平方米）canal n. 运河，沟渠excursion n. 短途旅行，远足comparable a. 1.相似的，同类的 2.可比的，比得上的strip n. 狭长的一块（材料）或一片（土地）vi. 脱去衣服vt. 1.剥去，揭去，除去（衣服、遮蔽物、某部分） 2.剥夺... ...的（钱财、荣誉等）summit n. 1.最高点，（尤指山的）顶，绝顶 2.两国或两国以上（尤指世界上最强的国家）政府首脑的最高级会谈plot n. 1.(尤指用于某特定目的) 小块土地, 小块地皮 2.（戏剧或小说的故事）情节 3.秘密计划，阴谋v. 密谋，计划civilian n. 平民Phrases and Expressionsopen field 旷野in fact 事实上，实际上on top of 在... ...之上work on 致力于power line 【电】电力线，输电线，电源线coordinate one's efforts to 齐心协力clean up 清扫，收拾，清理up to 多达，直到for instance 例如wash away （指水）洗掉，冲走lead into 通往，通向Environmental Protection Throughout the WorldIntroductionIn most parts of the world, environmental awareness does not exist. The great majority of nations concern themselves with economic development, regardless of its effect on the global ecology. But in recent years, as environmental damage has increased, signs of change have sprung up in various pockets around the world. The following are a few examples of countries undertaking new environmental initiatives.CanadaWhen European explorers first came to the New World, the fishing grounds off what would become eastern Canada and New England held abundant cod and other species. The area, called the Grand Banks, was the most abundant fishing ground in the world.Now, 500 years later, excessive fishing has reduced the number of fish to dangerously low levels. In response, Canada has closed the area to cod fishing and set strict limits on catches of other species.When Canada took similar measures to protect the supply of herring in the 1970s, the fish eventually recovered. But experts say that some species today have been so wasted, they may never recover. The government also faces protests from Canadian fishermen. About 40,000 are now unemployed as a result of the fishing bans and lossof their fish supply.Costa RicaThis Central American country has one of the most ambitious programs in the world to reserve the ecological diversity of its tropical rain forests. Much of the country has already been clear-cut, and soil erosion has been extensive. But a series of new environmental laws, together with the creation of parks and nature preserves that cover one quarter of the country, are aimed at protecting Costa Rica’s remaining forests.BrazilBrazil is home to the world’s largest jungle rain forest, the Amazon. For decades, the government sought to colonize and develop the Amazon, bringing severe environmental disaster to the area and its people.But in 1991, under pressure from environmentalists around the world, Brazil reversed course. It ended tax favors that had encouraged clearing of the Amazon rain forest, and agreed to a plan to finance new forest protection projects.Cattle farmers, miners, and settlers have protested the move and continue to destroy the forests, although at a slower pace than before. The conflict enlarged last year when miners killed a group of Amazon Indians in order to seize their land. The government promises it will protect the region’s native people, but questions remain as to its true level of commitment.Eastern EuropeThe nations of Eastern Europe, including Poland, Hungary, and the Czech and Slovak Republics, are considered the most polluted of all the world’s industrialized countries. Heavy metals from coal mining have contaminated much of the area’s waters. Rivers, land, and forests are so contaminated that many are now biologically dead.In a special series of treaties, Eastern European countries and other nations, including the United States, have set up special funds for environmental cleanups and improving the region’s power plants. In addition, Germany and the Czech Republic have signed a treaty to protect the Elbe River from further contamination. Experts say the treaty could serve as a model for protecting other rivers in the region, including the Oder and Danube.GhanaGhana’s population has been growing by 3.2 percent a year. This explosive growthhas led to removal of forests in much of the country, and excessive use of existing farmland. Forests have been cut down at the rate of 278 square miles a year.In response, the government has urged local villages to create more shared farmland. It has sponsored the growing of cash crops such as cassava, maize, cotton, and the planting of trees to regenerate waste land. Observers say the program has succeeded in strengthening the country’s agricultural base and bringing a new source of wealth to villagers. But it remains to be seen whether these measures will have enough impact to slow the rate of removing the forests.IndonesiaIndonesians have traditionally favored large families, and their major religion, Islam, frowns on birth control. But with 188 million people, the country is now struggling to provide enough food, shelter, and employment for its people. In recent years, the government has waged a massive ad campaign to encourage birth control, offering inducements such as free trips to Mecca, the birthplace of Islam in Saudi Arabia.The government has succeeded in increasing use of birth control from 10 percent of the population 20 years ago to 49 percent today. As a result, the average number of births has been cut from 5.6 children per woman to 3. The government hopes to reduce this average to 2.1 children per woman by 2005. But with such a large population base, the country must still convert millions more to the idea of birth control if it is to reach its population targets.Words: 796Green Spaces in CitiesWhere do children play? Years ago, any open field, any vacant lot, any group of trees -- these were the places where children played. As families left family farms, small towns, and the countryside, and moved into cities, the places for their children to play in became rarer. Children in the cities had few options, fewer choices of places to play.In fact, all people's lives change a lot when they move to the city. In cities, homes are built on top of one another -- in enormous apartment buildings. The feeling of private space and ownership no longer exists in houses literally piled one on the other.Psychologists have been studying the changes people experience when they leave rural areas and move into urban environments. One clear finding from their studies is that people need green spaces for better mental health. Children can play on paved playgrounds. That's true. However, they just don't have as much fun as children in small towns. Without grass and trees and bushes and, yes, dirt and mud to get dirty in, children miss an important part of childhood. The human soul, it seems, needs to stay close to its roots.Adults can plant lots of things like bulbs in window boxes and large containers. However, tending window boxes isn't the same as being an amateur gardener and growing peas, tomatoes and salad greens in a backyard garden. The lack of green space is now recognized and understood as a problem.City planners -- the people who design neighborhoods -- have begun to work on a solution. They want to build more parks, but land in cities is quite costly. So they look for land that no one else wants. Along rivers, under power lines, near ditches and highways -- these are the spaces that no one uses and they are everywhere. Why not use these unused spaces for green areas? Neighborhood groups have coordinated their efforts to clean up the trash or garbage. Soil from new building projects in the city has been trucked by lorries into these areas. This soil has been dumped along the sides of rivers, and strong walls have been erected to hold it there. Trees and bushes have been planted; the roots of these plants will hold the soil, too, and the green leaves make the area beautiful."People in and near cities have little opportunity to experience parks or unprotected open spaces, and that's becoming a problem," says Mister Ernest Cook, a senior vice president of the Trust for Public Land (TPL). This organization was started over twenty-one years ago. Its purpose is to protect land and public resources for people. In the past nineteen years, TPL has completed up to a thousand conservation projects in Canada and the United States.In Portland, Maine, the land along the old train tracks near the coast has become a green belt of trails between areas characterized by housing developments and those characterized by downtown businesses. To Mister Charles Jordan, the director of the Portland Parks and Recreation Department, it's just a beginning. Jordan has plans for an environmental university -- a huge urban park (5,000 acres ). It will include different environments, from canals and wetlands to forests. Jordan's plans include a network of trails and paths for people to use for excursions all over the city. He also wants to build a green belt from Portland, across Canada and the United States, all the way back to the Pacific Ocean. Communities across the continent could be connected by such a green belt.Other cities have comparable projects. In Phoenix, Arizona, for instance, the sides of the Salt River bed that have washed away are becoming a park. In Baltimore,a long strip of land (which was used for dumping garbage) is becoming a series of biking and walking trails. These trails will link a dozen neighborhoods and the downtown business areas. In some cities, the bicycle paths connect every area to every other area. In Flagstaff, Arizona, a thousand miles of bike trails lead into the San Francisco Peaks, the highest summit in the state.In other areas, planners have made places for bicycle trails and playgrounds, for public gardens and private garden plots, and paths for walking and running excursions. The costly result is a growing greenness in the cities and a healthier environment for all the civilians who live there.Words: 730Earth — a Living PlanetEarth looks like a big blue marble (玻璃球); from high above the Earth and from the moon, the planet gleams and shines. The blue water in the oceans and seas of the Earth makes a dramatic image. The white clouds above the Earth add beauty to the picture. Water is the source of this beauty and the source of life on Earth. It is the reason people can live on this planet. Water is everywhere. It is in the air that people breathe. It is in the soil, the ground that grows the food. Water is in rock deep under the ground, in natural holding areas -- in storage. In a real sense, water keeps Earth alive.Nature has an unchanging amount of water. Nature has a perfect system for recycling water. Water is used again and again. It falls as rain. Then it goes to one of three places. It might sink slowly through the soil into the natural holding areas in the rock. It might disappear into the air quickly -- by becoming vapor, or gas. It might run off into streams, rivers and oceans. By itself, nature can keep the balance and provide plenty of clean water for us. Nature recycles water.However, people cause problems for this natural recycling system. Nature's recycling system can work well only if people work with the system and not against it. Some ways that people upset nature are easy to understand. For example, dirty sewage (污水沟系统) water from homes and factories must not mix with drinking water. People get sick from drinking contaminated water. Sometimes water from factories goes into streams and rivers. It enters into the groundwater. It can flow into lakes too. This kind of contamination from industry (waste water from factories) can be dangerous for people. If water contains poisons and chemicals, it is poison. Poison makes people sick; some poisons kill people as well as birds and animals. Without knowing, people can upset nature's recycling system.Lakes and rivers add beauty to the world. People enjoy water for entertainment purposes, too. People enjoy swimming and playing in the cool water of a lake in the summer. They like to ride on boats on rivers. Many people enjoy catching fish in the rivers. They fish for food and for sport. However, in some places, the water of the lakes and rivers is no longer safe. These rivers and lakes are contaminated. The fish are dying because of the chemicals from farms and factories. People cannot swim in the polluted water.There are other ways that people disturb nature. Some of these ways are not easy to understand. For example, of what use is a wet land? No one can plant crops on it. No one can build a house on it. Therefore, engineers have removed the water from some wet-lands in order to make useful land. Many shopping centers stand on dry land today, land that was once wet and full of marshes. Yet the soft and wet ground of a marsh serves an important purpose in nature. In a marsh, the surface water can sink slowly down through the soil into the rock below. Nature's holding area fills slowly with that clean, filtered water.Housing developments and shopping centers cover much of the Earth with paved and concrete surfaces. Water cannot sink through these hard surfaces. Rainwater cannot sink into the ground because of the buildings, roads, and parking lots. So it floods parking lots and flows into basements. Engineers build huge storm pipes or sewers (污水沟) to carry the storm water away, but these cause another problem. They carry all of the water away. Not much water can sink into the holding areas under the ground. The once unlimited supply of fresh, clean water is now limited. Nature's recycling system is in danger.Because of water, Earth is a living planet. People can live here because of water. They build large dams to store water in huge man-made lakes. The water in these lakes can water farmland and provide water for cities. Water from the dams can make electricity, called hydroelectricity since it is made from water power. These hydroelectric (水电的) projects produce electricity for the people of nearby cities and towns. However, these dams also cause problems. In some places, the holding areas behind the dams have destroyed the environment for animals, birds, and plants.One thing is certain -- the balance of nature on this water planet is easily upset. And upsetting the natural water cycle (循环) on Earth makes significant problems for its inhabitants. All of us share these problems. Water gives life to our planet. We must learn to live in balance with nature, or our shining planet Earth will die.Words: 797。