VOA标准英语2010年-Book Explores Use of Technology to Rev

There are efforts worldwide to control the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to stop global warming.  Some experts are now considering the idea of saving the planet through so-called "geoengineering."  The controversial idea is the subject of a new book called How to Cool the Planet.

Jeff Goodell thinks geoengineering is a somewhat crazy idea.  But he writes in his book that after the failure of last year's Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the technological¹ approach may end up being the world's only option.

He argues there are two ways geoengineering might solve the global warming problem: One would be to use technology to remove carbon from the atmosphere; the other would be to block sunlight.  Goodell says the latter idea offers the most promise.  It would basically involve technologies that mimic² what large volcanic³ eruptions⁴ do, put into the stratosphere particles that reflect sunlight back into space.

Most environmentalists are appalled⁵ by such proposals to play with nature, but Goodell says humankind is already manipulating the climate, but not in a rational or beneficial manner.

"We are already pushing the earth's climate around in a very powerful way by dumping billions of tons of greenhouse gases into it every year, and the real question here is not whether we mess around with the system, but whether we can learn to do it more intelligently," said Goodell.  "There are technologies out there that might help us reduce the risk of dramatic climate change."

In How to Cool the Planet, Goodell examines some of the ideas proposed by scientists who are researching geoengineering.  He says it is only a matter of time before someone tries to do it.

"Ideally, this would be done in a rational way, where we would have all the nations of the world or representatives from the nations of the world building a consensus⁶ and making a decision about how we would do this," he explained.  "But in realistic terms, the real issue is individual nations because putting particles into the stratosphere to cool down the planet is relatively⁷ cheap.  It can be done by not only an individual nation, a wealthy individual nation, but also a collection of nations or even a wealthy individual, a billionaire."

But what worries many experts, and Goodell as well, is that some nation or individual might try to solve the global warming problem with a technology that only makes matters worse.

"How do you keep a rogue⁸ nation from launching a nuclear weapon?  How do you keep a rogue nation or even a rogue individual or a collection of nations from deciding that it is in their interest to try to cool down the planet?" he asked.

Goodell says scientists exploring technological solutions to global warming have, for the most part, done so quietly, for fear of drawing criticism from environmentalists opposed to the idea.  Many of them are also worried about the risks involved.  But Goodell says the time has come for an open discussion with other scientists, environmentalists, human rights groups and governments to at least promote the study of more options.

"All the thoughtful scientists that I wrote about in my book completely agree that the way we need to deal with global warming is to cut emissions," he said.  "But, like me, they see that that is not happening, and so they really want to stimulate⁹ some dialogue on this so we can have a better understanding of this world we are moving into."

Goodell says the cost of a massive geoengineering project will be of little concern once the world fully¹⁰ recognizes the crisis brought on by climate change.  Even if the idea is treated as a last resort, Jeff Goodell says a well-designed geoengineering research program would not only provide more information about the possible costs and risks of various proposals, it could also serve pure science by deepening the world's understanding of how the planet works.
 

1 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

2 mimic   

v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人

参考例句：

• A parrot can mimic a person's voice.鹦鹉能学人的声音。
• He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another.他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。

3 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

4 eruptions   

n.喷发，爆发( eruption的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year. 今年火山爆发了好几次。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Over 200 people have been killed by volcanic eruptions. 火山喷发已导致200多人丧生。 来自辞典例句

5 appalled   

v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的

参考例句：

• The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊。
• They were appalled by the reports of the nuclear war. 他们被核战争的报道吓坏了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

7 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

8 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。

9 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

10 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。