VOA标准英语2009-US, China May Set Emissions Reduction Goals

During talks in Beijing, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao endorsed¹ a package of energy projects, including deals on clean coal and electric vehicles. Environmental analysts³ say the talks offer new hope the two countries will soon offer targets on emissions⁴ reduction.

Laurel Bowman | Washington 20 November 2009

"The talks were candid⁵, constructive⁶ and very fruitful," Chinese President Hu Jintao said.

During talks in Beijing, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao endorsed a package of energy projects, including deals on clean coal and electric vehicles. Environmental analysts say the talks offer new hope the two countries will soon offer targets on emissions reduction.

The U.S. and China are the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases. That can add up to a lot of smog, and, environmentalists say, a warming planet.

Climate change was a hot item in meetings this week in Beijing between Barack Obama and Hu Jintao.

"The two sides reached broad, important agreement.  The talks were candid, constructive and very fruitful," Hu said.

Environmental analysts now expect the U.S. to offer emissions-reduction targets at next month's climate summit in Copenhagen, if China will do the same.  

"Our aim there, in support of what Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark is trying to achieve, is not a partial accord or a political declaration, but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations," President Obama said.
 
China and the U.S. also signed agreements on renewable energy, energy efficiency, cleaner uses of coal and the promotion⁷ of electric vehicles.   

Climate change analyst² and blogger Jake Schmidt, says it's welcome news since both countries have balked⁸ at setting emissions goals.

Climate change analyst and blogger Jake Schmidt

"I think it's meaningful because every time you have world leaders, and these are crucial world leaders, talking about the environment it's a good thing," he said.  And they signaled clear steps that the two sides are going to take, to deal with this issue, and that's positive."

Schmidt sees subtle shifts in the way China is talking about the planet.

"China is starting to see how it is viewed in the world as an important kind of future of its identity and I think that has an impact and since the world is so focused on global warming and all the world leaders are talking about it, China doesn't want to be the rogue⁹ on this issue," Schmidt said.

Environmental analysts say that for the U.S. to have credibility on the world stage, it must pass global warming legislation.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a climate bill that includes a 17 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020.  Similar legislation is underway in the Senate.

1 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 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。

5 candid   

adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的

参考例句：

• I cannot but hope the candid reader will give some allowance for it.我只有希望公正的读者多少包涵一些。
• He is quite candid with his friends.他对朋友相当坦诚。

6 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

7 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

8 balked   

v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑

参考例句：

• He balked in his speech. 他忽然中断讲演。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• They balked the robber's plan. 他们使强盗的计划受到挫败。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

9 rogue   

n.流氓；v.游手好闲

参考例句：

• The little rogue had his grandpa's glasses on.这淘气鬼带上了他祖父的眼镜。
• They defined him as a rogue.他们确定他为骗子。