VOA慢速英语--宗教领袖支持联合国气候协议

AS IT IS 2016-04-21 Religious Leaders Support UN Climate Agreement 宗教领袖支持联合国气候协议

More than 200 religious leaders say they support the climate change agreement negotiated in Paris last year and want it to be put into effect quickly.

This Friday -- Earth Day -- world leaders will sign the agreement at United Nations headquarters in New York City.

The religious leaders joined in prayer Monday at a religious center at the UN. They released a statement that urged countries to quickly sign, approve and enforce the Paris Climate Agreement. The statement was sent to the General Assembly President to be given to UN member states.

The agreement will take effect after 55 countries, representing at least 55 percent of total greenhouse emissions¹, have approved the treaty. Many studies have linked carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change.

Fletcher Harper is an Episcopalian clergyman. He also leads a coalition² of different religious groups called GreenFaith. GreenFaith helped organize the gathering³ of religious leaders at the UN. Harper says the leaders’ campaign has the support of almost 5,000 people and 90 groups worldwide.

“The statement reflects that we must regard the Earth as a gift, not just as a commodity that can be bought or sold, but as a gift that must be cherished and protected not only for short-term economic gain, but for the long-term protection of life. These are fundamental moral and religious values that are shared by traditions across the world.”

Kiran Bali leads the United Religions Initiative, an interfaith group that works in 94 countries.

“For many of us, we are seeing the problem across the world -- drought, food shortages, extinction⁴ of species. I feel that this is a human and a spiritual failure and I’m here to ask for everybody to unite, to come together as people of faith who believe in the values of oneness and respect, environmental stewardship⁵ and really save our planet, save our earth.”

Fletcher Harper believes religious leaders can have an influence on the climate policies and actions of many countries.

“We have a chance to, to transform the cultures of the world, and by transforming the cultures, transform politics so that government leaders understand that they absolutely must take dramatic action on climate change now.”

Words in This Story

emissions – n. something sent out or given off

reflect – v. to show (something); to make (something) known

commodity – n. something that is bought and sold

cherish – v. to feel or show great love for (someone or something)

fundamental – adj. forming or relating to the most important part of something

drought – n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

extinction – n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely

stewardship – n. the activity or job of protecting and being responsible for something

1 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

4 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

5 stewardship   

n. n. 管理工作；管事人的职位及职责

参考例句：

• The organization certainly prospered under his stewardship. 不可否认，这个组织在他的管理下兴旺了起来。
• Last, but certainly not least, are the issues of stewardship and ethics. 最后，但当然不是微不足道的，是工作和道德规范的问题。