VOA慢速英语2021--格陵兰岛因气候变化暂停石油勘探

The government of Greenland has decided¹ to suspend all oil exploration off the Arctic island's coast. Officials say it is "a natural step" because the government "takes the climate crisis seriously."

No oil has been found yet around Greenland, which is a territory of The Kingdom of Denmark. But officials there had seen finding large amounts of oil as a way to help Greenlanders realize their dream of independence from Denmark. Greenland receives about $540 million each year from Denmark.

Global warming means that melting ice could uncover possible oil and mineral resources. Those resources could greatly change the future of the territory of 57,000 people.

"The future does not lie in oil. The future belongs to renewable energy, and in that respect we have much more to gain," the Greenland government said in a statement. The government added that it "wants to take co-responsibility for combating the global climate crisis."

The decision was made June 24, but only made public last week.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates there could be 17.5 billion undiscovered barrels of oil and 148 trillion cubic feet of natural gas off Greenland, the world's largest island. The island's distant location and severe weather, however, have limited exploration.

The current government has also stopped plans for uranium mining in southern Greenland.

Greenland still has four active oil and gas exploration permits. They can be used as long as the two companies that hold them are actively² exploring.

The government's decision to stop oil exploration was welcomed by the environmental group Greenpeace, which called the decision "fantastic."

Denmark decides foreign, defense³ and security policies for Greenland. Denmark's yearly financial support for Greenland makes up about two-thirds of the island's economy.

Words in This Story

global – adj. involving the entire world

barrel – n. a round usually wooden container with curved sides and flat ends; the amount contained in a full barrel

fantastic – adj. extremely good

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。