世界节假日博览 第106期:世界环境日

 World Environment Day (WED¹) is a day we all need to put in our diaries. It happens on June 5 every year and should be one of the most important days of the holiday calendar. WED was created in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly. The environment wasn’t such a big issue back then. It is one of the hottest topics in the world today. WED helps raise worldwide awareness² of the threats to our environment. Many environmental agencies organize events based on different themes each year. These events encourage both governments and local communities to work together. This ensures environmental problems are tackled from a grass roots level and at a presidential level.

世界环境日是值得铭记的节日。每年的6月5日为环境日，它是我们的重要节日之一。1972年，由联合国大会发起。环境曾经不是什么大问题。如今，它却成为了全球最热门话题之一。通过庆祝环境日，提高民众对环境威胁的认识。每年，许多环境机构会组织各种主题活动。鼓励政府和当地社区同心协力。环境问题需要得到基层和上层的共同解决。

Many people in rich countries are aware of today’s environmental issues. Even though many of the world’s citizens know the issues, too few people do enough to combat them. Perhaps the most serious issue is global warming. WED could be the day to start changing our lifestyle forever to reduce our carbon footprint. Most of us use far too much energy. With a little thought, we could all use less power and help the environment. WED also needs to make people in poorer countries aware of the dangers to the environment. The governments of new superpowers such as China and India need to reduce their energy consumption too. Hopefully, World Environment Day will become more celebrated³ every year.

许多发达国家意识到了当今的环境问题。许多民众甚至已意识到它的存在，但实际行动的人寥寥无几。最严重环境问题要数全球变暖。通过世界环境日，彻底改变生活方式，减少碳足迹。多数人的能源消耗太大。减少能源消耗有助保护环境。贫困国家公民需要意识到环境危害。像中国，印度等新兴大国需要减少能源排放。希望每年的环境日都能够精彩纷呈。

1.global warming 全球变暖

例句：We do not fight global warming because it is futile⁴ to do so.

我们不对付全球变暖的斗争，因为以这样做是徒劳的。

2.carbon footprint 碳足迹

例句：We all need to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

我们都需要寻找减少我们碳足迹的办法。

3.energy consumption 能耗

例句：Energy consumption rises as countries industrialise.

随着各国实现工业化，能源消费增加了。

4.aware of 意识到

例句：Yon can only humbug⁵ those who are not aware of your tricks.

你只能欺骗还不清楚你的伎俩的那些人。

1 wed   

v.娶，嫁，与…结婚

参考例句：

• The couple eventually wed after three year engagement.这对夫妇在订婚三年后终于结婚了。
• The prince was very determined to wed one of the king's daughters.王子下定决心要娶国王的其中一位女儿。

2 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 futile   

adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的

参考例句：

• They were killed,to the last man,in a futile attack.因为进攻失败，他们全部被杀，无一幸免。
• Their efforts to revive him were futile.他们对他抢救无效。

5 humbug   

n.花招，谎话，欺骗

参考例句：

• I know my words can seem to him nothing but utter humbug.我知道，我说的话在他看来不过是彻头彻尾的慌言。
• All their fine words are nothing but humbug.他们的一切花言巧语都是骗人的。