英语听力精选进阶版 14256

Climate change violence

Summary

2 August 2013

Changes to the climate are strongly linked to increases in violence around the world, according to a report in the journal Science. It said even small changes in temperature or rainfall were associated with a rise in conflict.

Reporter:

Rebecca Morelle

Report

Researchers from two American universities looked at data recorded from all around the world - and found the same pattern emerge. Their examples include an increase in domestic violence in India during recent droughts, and a spike¹ in assaults, rapes² and murders during heatwaves in the US. 

The report also suggests rising temperatures correlated with large conflicts - including ethnic³ clashes in Europe and civil wars in Africa. 

The researchers say the link is substantial - and they're now trying to understand why. They believe changing conditions put pressure on resources, such as water and crops - driving some to take up arms. 

Other studies show that heat causes a biological response, making people prone⁴ to aggression⁵. 

The scientists warn that a two-degree-centigrade rise in global temperatures could see personal violence increase by 15%, and group conflicts rise by more than 50% in some regions.

But other research suggests there are more complex factors at play behind most conflicts.

1 spike   

n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效

参考例句：

• The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order.那个钉子穿过那些收据并使之按顺序排列。
• They'll do anything to spike the guns of the opposition.他们会使出各种手段来挫败对手。

2 rapes   

n.芸苔( rape的名词复数 )；强奸罪；强奸案；肆意损坏v.以暴力夺取，强夺( rape的第三人称单数 )；强奸

参考例句：

• The man who had committed several rapes was arrested. 那个犯了多起强奸案的男人被抓起来了。 来自辞典例句
• The incidence of reported rapes rose 0.8 percent. 美国联邦调查局还发布了两份特别报告。 来自互联网

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

5 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。