Reading and Thinking 课文精读 · 气候变化需要全世界的关注
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
We have known about climate change for decades. There is little doubt that Earth is getting warmer and warmer (see the graph). A warming ocean and atmosphere along with melting ice and rising sea levels provide evidence of a dramatic change in the global climate.
我们对气候变化已经知道几十年了。毫无疑问，地球正在变得越来越暖和（见图表）。海洋和大气的变暖，冰的融化和海平面的上升提供了全球气候急剧变化的证据。
第2段
In 2013, a lot of people were shocked by a news photo of a dead polar bear that was found on Norway's Arctic island of Svalbard. According to the scientists who found its dead body, all that remained of the polar bear was "skin and bones". An expert who has studied polar bears for many years said that from the position of its dead body, the bear appeared to have starved and died. Experts claimed that low sea-ice levels caused by climate change meant the bear could not hunt seals as before, so it had to travel greater distances in order to find food. This alarming case showed how the increase in temperature had an impact on Earth's ecology.
2013 年，在挪威北极斯瓦尔巴特岛发现的一张北极熊死亡的新闻照片让很多人震惊。根据发现北极熊尸体的科学家们的说法，北极熊仅存的只是“皮肤和骨头”。一位研究北极熊多年的专家说，从其尸体的位置来看，北极熊似乎是饿死了。专家称，气候变化导致的低海冰水平意味着这只熊不能像以前那样捕猎海豹，因此它必须走更远的距离才能找到食物。这一令人震惊的案例显示了温度的上升对地球生态的影响。
第3段
Then what is causing the increase in the global average surface temperature? Climate scientists often mention a key climate process called the "greenhouse effect", which has two common meanings: the "natural" greenhouse effect and the "man-made" greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect refers to the fact that heat from the sun enters the atmosphere and warms Earth's surface as short-wave radiation. The heat is released back into space at longer wave lengths. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as methane and carbon dioxide, trap some of the heat, keeping Earth's climate warm and habitable. Without this process, Earth could not sustain life. However, the "man-made" greenhouse effect has now become a big problem. When people produce huge amounts of extra greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuels, more heat energy is trapped in the atmosphere and causes Earth's surface temperature to rise quickly.
那么是什么导致了全球平均地表温度的升高呢？气候科学家经常提到一个叫做“温室效应”的关键气候过程，它有两个共同的含义：“自然”温室效应和“人为”温室效应。温室效应是指太阳的热量进入大气层，以短波辐射的形式使地球表面变暖。热量以较长的波长释放回太空。大气中的温室气体，如甲烷和二氧化碳，捕获了部分热量，使地球气候保持温暖和适宜居住。没有这个过程，地球就无法维持生命。然而，“人为”的温室效应现在已经成为一个大问题。当人们通过燃烧化石燃料产生大量额外的温室气体时，更多的热能被困在大气中，导致地球表面温度迅速上升。
第4段
There is strong and comprehensive evidence that the rise in temperature has led to an increase in extreme weather and natural disasters worldwide, not only causing serious damage, but also costing human lives. Climate scientists have warned that if we do not take appropriate actions, this warming trend will probably continue and there will be a higher price to pay. In fact, news reports are frequently broadcast about extreme rainstorms and heat waves causing deaths and economic losses.
有强有力和全面的证据表明，气温上升导致世界范围内极端天气和自然灾害增加，不仅造成严重破坏，而且夺去了人的生命。气候科学家警告说，如果我们不采取适当的行动，这一变暖趋势可能会继续下去，将付出更高的代价。事实上，有关极端暴雨和热浪造成死亡和经济损失的新闻报道经常播出。
第5段
Continued greenhouse gas emissions will result in further warming and long-lasting changes to the global climate. This requires the attention of people all over the world. Governments need to consider making policies and taking appropriate actions and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We as individuals can also reduce our "carbon footprint" by restricting the amount of carbon dioxide our lifestyles produce. It is our responsibility to seize every opportunity to educate everyone about global warming, along with its causes and impacts, because this is the most serious issue affecting all of us on this planet. So what will you do to help?
持续的温室气体排放将导致全球气候进一步变暖和长期变化。这需要全世界人民的关注。政府需要考虑制定政策并采取适当的行动和措施来减少温室气体的排放。我们个人也可以通过限制我们的生活方式产生的二氧化碳量来减少我们的“碳足迹”。我们有责任抓住每一个机会，教育每个人了解全球变暖及其原因和影响，因为这是影响我们地球上所有人的最严重问题。那么你会怎么做？
二、重点单词
doubt n.：怀疑；疑惑。There is little doubt that Earth is getting warmer and warmer.
evidence n.：证据；证明。A warming ocean ... provide evidence of a dramatic change.
dramatic adj.：急剧的；戏剧性的。a dramatic change in the global climate
shock v.：使震惊；使惊愕。a lot of people were shocked by a news photo
starve v.：挨饿；饿死。the bear appeared to have starved and died
alarming adj.：令人担忧的；令人震惊的。This alarming case showed how the increase in temperature had an impact on Earth's ecology.
ecology n.：生态；生态学。had an impact on Earth's ecology
radiation n.：辐射；放射线。warms Earth's surface as short-wave radiation
release v.：释放；放出。The heat is released back into space
methane n.：甲烷；沼气。Greenhouse gases ... such as methane and carbon dioxide
trap v.：使陷入；截留；捕获。Greenhouse gases ... trap some of the heat
habitable adj.：可居住的；适宜居住的。keeping Earth's climate warm and habitable
sustain v.：维持；支撑。Earth could not sustain life
fossil n.（常作 fossil fuels）：化石燃料。by burning fossil fuels
comprehensive adj.：综合的；全面的。strong and comprehensive evidence
extreme adj.：极端的；极度的。an increase in extreme weather and natural disasters
disaster n.：灾难；灾害。extreme weather and natural disasters worldwide
appropriate adj.：适当的；合适的。if we do not take appropriate actions
emission n.：排放；散发。reduce greenhouse gas emissions
restrict v.：限制；约束。by restricting the amount of carbon dioxide
responsibility n.：责任；职责。It is our responsibility to seize every opportunity
seize v.：抓住；把握。seize every opportunity to educate everyone
三、一词多义与熟词生义
effect 常见义为"效果、作用、影响"，课文中 greenhouse effect 为气象学术语"温室效应"，属固定专业搭配，不可拆开理解。
radiation 日常多指"辐射（常带负面联想）"，课文中 short-wave radiation 意为"短波辐射"，是物理学意义上太阳热量的传播形式。
trap 作名词本义是"陷阱"，作动词本义"设陷阱捕捉"；课文中 trap some of the heat 意为"截留、困住（热量）"，由"捕住"引申为"留住不让散失"。
footprint 本义是"脚印、足迹"，课文中 carbon footprint 为比喻义"碳足迹"，指个人生活方式产生的二氧化碳排放量。
sustain 常见义"支撑、承受（重量）"，课文中 sustain life 意为"维持生命"，强调使生命得以存续。
appropriate 常见义"合适的、恰当的"，课文中 take appropriate actions 指"采取适当的（应对气候变化的）行动"，含"对症、得宜"之意。
四、重点词块
there is little doubt that 毫无疑问……
get warmer and warmer 变得越来越暖
provide evidence of 提供……的证据
melting ice and rising sea levels 冰川融化与海平面上升
have an impact on 对……有影响（或冲击）
the greenhouse effect 温室效应
fossil fuels 化石燃料
lead to 导致；引起
take appropriate actions 采取适当的行动
result in 造成；导致
carbon footprint 碳足迹
restrict the amount of 限制……的数量
seize every opportunity to 抓住每个机会去做……
it is our responsibility to 做……是我们的责任
extreme weather and natural disasters 极端天气与自然灾害
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】In 2013, a lot of people were shocked by a news photo of a dead polar bear that was found on Norway's Arctic island of Svalbard.
【主干】a lot of people were shocked by a news photo.
【分层】In 2013 为时间状语；of a dead polar bear 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 photo；that was found ... 为 that 引导的定语从句修饰 polar bear；on Norway's Arctic island of Svalbard 为地点状语。
【译文】2013 年，在挪威北极斯瓦尔巴特岛发现的一张北极熊死亡的新闻照片让很多人震惊。
【考点】一般过去时被动语态（were shocked by）；that 定语从句；介词短语后置定语。
【原句 2】Experts claimed that low sea-ice levels caused by climate change meant the bear could not hunt seals as before, so it had to travel greater distances in order to find food.
【主干】Experts claimed that ...（that 引导宾语从句）。
【分层】that 宾语从句的主干为 low sea-ice levels meant (that) the bear could not hunt seals；其中 caused by climate change 为过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 levels；as before 为比较状语；so 引导结果状语从句；in order to find food 为目的状语。
【译文】专家称，气候变化导致的低海冰水平意味着这只熊不能像以前那样捕猎海豹，因此它必须走更远的距离才能找到食物。
【考点】that 宾语从句嵌套；过去分词作定语；so 结果状语从句；in order to 目的状语。
【原句 3】Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as methane and carbon dioxide, trap some of the heat, keeping Earth's climate warm and habitable.
【主干】Greenhouse gases trap some of the heat.
【分层】in the atmosphere 为后置定语修饰 gases；such as methane and carbon dioxide 为插入式举例；keeping ... 为现在分词短语作结果/伴随状语；warm and habitable 为宾语补足语说明 climate 的状态。
【译文】大气中的温室气体，如甲烷和二氧化碳，捕获了部分热量，使地球气候保持温暖和适宜居住。
【考点】现在分词作状语；宾语补足语；such as 举例用法。
【原句 4】There is strong and comprehensive evidence that the rise in temperature has led to an increase in extreme weather and natural disasters worldwide, not only causing serious damage, but also costing human lives.
【主干】There is strong and comprehensive evidence (that ...).
【分层】that 引导同位语从句解释 evidence 的具体内容；从句谓语 has led to an increase；not only causing ... but also costing ... 为现在分词并列短语作状语，表示伴随结果。
【译文】有强有力和全面的证据表明，气温上升导致世界范围内极端天气和自然灾害增加，不仅造成严重破坏，而且夺去了人的生命。
【考点】There be 句型；同位语从句；not only ... but also 并列；现在分词作状语。
【原句 5】It is our responsibility to seize every opportunity to educate everyone about global warming, along with its causes and impacts, because this is the most serious issue affecting all of us on this planet.
【主干】It is our responsibility to seize every opportunity.
【分层】It 为形式主语，真正主语是 to seize every opportunity；to educate everyone ... 为不定式作 opportunity 的后置定语（表目的）；along with its causes and impacts 为伴随状语；because 引导原因状语从句；affecting ... 现在分词短语作后置定语修饰 issue。
【译文】我们有责任抓住每一个机会，教育每个人了解全球变暖及其原因和影响，因为这是影响我们地球上所有人的最严重问题。
【考点】形式主语 it 与不定式真正主语；because 原因状语从句；现在分词作后置定语。
六、语法点清单
1. 现在完成时叙述持续至今的事实
We have known about climate change for decades. 现在完成时（have known）强调从过去延续到现在的状态，是科普说明文中陈述"已知共识"的常用时态。
2. 一般过去时叙述过去事件
In 2013, a lot of people were shocked ...；Experts claimed ...。讲述 2013 年北极熊事件等具体过去事实，用一般过去时。
3. 被动语态
were shocked by；was found；is trapped；will be preserved。课文中被动语态多用于客观陈述事实与动作承受者，弱化施动者、突出信息本身。
4. 定语从句（that / who / which）
that was found on ...；who found its dead body；which has two common meanings。注意 that/who 在从句中作主语，which 指代前面整个"温室效应"这一概念。
5. 同位语从句
evidence that ...；the fact that heat from the sun ...。that 从句对抽象名词（evidence / fact）的内容作具体说明，that 不充当成分、不可省略。
6. 非谓语动词（不定式 / 分词）
to find food（目的）；keeping ...（结果/伴随）；causing ... / costing ...（伴随结果）；restricting the amount（介词宾语）。说明文中大量使用非谓语使表达紧凑。
7. 条件状语从句与情态动词
if we do not take appropriate actions, this warming trend will probably continue。if 引导真实条件句，主句用一般将来时表预测，probably 表可能性。
七、逻辑链
引子（第1段）：气候变化的认知已有数十年 → 地球持续变暖，海洋、冰川、海平面提供确凿证据
↓
现象/例证（第2段）：2013 年北极熊饿死照片引发震惊 → 低海冰迫使远距离觅食 → 升温直接冲击地球生态
↓
归因（第3段）：全球地表升温的元凶是"温室效应" → 区分自然与人为 → 燃烧化石燃料使热量滞留、地表骤升
↓
后果（第4段）：升温导致极端天气与自然灾害激增，若不行动代价更高
↓
对策（第5段）：需全球关注 → 政府立策减排 + 个人减碳足迹 + 抓住机会科普教育
这是一篇"现象—原因—后果—对策"的科普说明文：第1—2段以"共识证据 + 典型案例"引出气候变暖之严峻；第3段是核心，用"概念定义→自然/人为对比→化石燃料因果"解剖温室效应机理；第4—5段由危害推进到行动呼吁，结尾以问句"So what will you do to help?"落到个人责任。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：There is little doubt that ...
课文：There is little doubt that Earth is getting warmer and warmer.
仿写：There is little doubt that protecting the environment has become a global priority.（毫无疑问，保护环境已成为全球当务之急。）——用于开门见山确立共识。
模板 2：... provide evidence of ...
课文：A warming ocean ... provide evidence of a dramatic change in the global climate.
仿写：The falling birth rate provides evidence of a profound social change.（出生率下降为深刻的社会变迁提供了证据。）——用于用事实支撑论点。
模板 3：... had an impact on ...
课文：This alarming case showed how the increase in temperature had an impact on Earth's ecology.
仿写：The new policy had a positive impact on the local economy.（新政策对当地经济产生了积极影响。）——用于说明某事的影响。
模板 4：It is our responsibility to ...
课文：It is our responsibility to seize every opportunity to educate everyone about global warming.
仿写：It is our responsibility to pass on traditional culture to the next generation.（把传统文化传给下一代是我们的责任。）——用于升华责任与号召。
模板 5：We as individuals can also ... by ...
课文：We as individuals can also reduce our "carbon footprint" by restricting the amount of carbon dioxide our lifestyles produce.
仿写：We as individuals can also save energy by turning off lights when leaving a room.（我们个人也可以通过离开房间时关灯来节能。）——用于从个人角度补充对策。
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