英语课程计划-World Ocean Day

Over seventy per cent of the Earth’s surface is ocean. Many of our oceans are being damaged by human activity. On June 8, we recognize the importance of the oceans with World Ocean Day. This important day in the environmental calendar began on 8 June 1992. It was started by a group of environmentalists at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. On World Ocean Day, activities take place around the world. These let us appreciate how important the oceans are to us and how they are essential for our survival. It is a day for us to learn more  about the diversity of life in the oceans and how our actions are killing¹ many species. The day also hopes to raise awareness² that our oceans are an important part of keeping our planet at the right temperature.

The world's oceans are under serious threat today. Over-fishing, pollution and global warming are just a few of the things damaging the seas. Climate change means sea levels are rising. Scientists say that within fifty years, many of today’s countries will be under water. A warming world also changes the way ocean water circulates. If parts of the world become too warm, ocean temperatures could change and cause havoc³ to the world’s weather patterns. Changing water temperatures could also make many marine⁴ species extinct. Oceans are becoming saltier because of global warming. This is killing many coral reefs, which lead to many species of ocean life dying. We really need to start thinking about how our lives damage the oceans.

1 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

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 havoc   

n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱

参考例句：

• The earthquake wreaked havoc on the city.地震对这个城市造成了大破坏。
• This concentration of airborne firepower wrought havoc with the enemy forces.这次机载火力的集中攻击给敌军造成很大破坏。

4 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。