新奇事件簿 气候变化将导致世界上一半海滩消失（在线收听）

Rising sea levels could see the demise of half of the world's beaches by the end of this century. Climate scientists predict that 50 per cent of sandy beaches along the world's coastlines could vanish over the next eight decades if climate change continues on its current path. The scientists are from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. They warned that the shorelines of many highly-populated areas and tourist hot-spots are threatened by erosion from climate change and surging sea levels. Areas at risk of disappearing forever include well-known, popular beaches in Australia's Surfers' Paradise, the islands of Hawaii, Brazil's Copacabana Beach, and the Costa del Sol in Spain.

海平面上升可能导致世界上一半的海滩在本世纪末消失。气候科学家预测，如果气候变化以这样的速度继续下去，那么未来80年，全球海岸线上50%的沙滩可能会消失。这些科学家来自欧盟委员会联合研究中心。他们警告称，许多人口密集地区和旅游热点的海岸线受到气候变化和海平面上升的侵蚀。有可能永远消失的区域包括著名的澳大利亚冲浪者天堂的海滩，夏威夷群岛、巴西科帕卡巴纳滩以及西班牙的太阳海岸。

The scientists reported that countries like The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau in Africa are predicted to lose over 60% of their beaches. The country to be worst affected is Australia, where 12,000km of coastline could end up underwater forever. The researchers wrote that: "A substantial proportion of the world's sandy coastline is already eroding, a situation that could be exacerbated by climate change. This...could result in the near extinction of the world's sandy beaches by the end of the century." Research co-author Dr Michalis Vousdoukas said there were two important ways we could reduce this trend and save the beaches. He said we had to, "reduce emissions and manage our coastline in a more sustainable way".

科学家报告称，非洲的冈比亚和几内亚比绍等国家预计将失去60%以上的海滩。受影响最严重的国家是澳大利亚，该国长达12000公里的海岸线可能会永远淹没在水下。研究人员写道：“世界上相当大一部分的沙质海岸线已经受到侵蚀，这种情况可能会因气候变化而加剧。这个可能导致本世纪末世界上的沙滩几近灭绝。”研究合著者Michalis Vousdoukas博士表示有两种重要的方法可以缓解这种趋势拯救海滩。他表示我们需要“减少排放并以更加可持续的方式管理我们的海岸线”。