VOA常速英语--研究人员考虑气候变化对公共卫生影响

研究人员考虑气候变化对公共卫生影响

Climate change is not just a change in the global temperature; it is also a change in the weather. Scientists say we can expect more extrems weather events along with some areas see more rains and flooding,while other areas will get hotter,drier and more prone¹ to droughts and forest fires.

气候变化不仅仅是全球温度的变化，还是天气的变化。科学家表示，我们将见证更多极端天气，一些地区遭遇暴雨和洪水，而另外一些地区变得更加炎热干燥，遭遇更多干旱和森林火灾。

"Climate change has a broad impact on health, both through the direct effect that climate change has on extreme weather – heat waves to heavy rainfall events and associated flooding, coastal² storms, hurricanes -- but also indirectly³, in the way that it alters disease ecology, or ecosystems⁴ that are important in maintaining a healthy environment."

“气候变化对健康有着广泛的影响，一方面是气候变化对极端天气带来的直接极端影响——热浪，暴雨，从而引发的洪水，海啸，飓风——另一方面是间接的影响，改变了疾病生态学，或者对于维持健康的环境来说非常重要的生态系统。”

One example is Lyme disease, which is caused by a particular type of bacterium⁵ spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. A warming climate and changing seasonal⁶ temperatures have expanded the tick's range.

其中一个例子就是莱姆病，由感染了的黑足蜱或鹿蜱叮咬，通过一种细菌传播。气候变暖和季节温度变化扩大了黑足蜱的生存范围。

"We’re seeing more cases. We’re seeing it shifting northward⁷ and to the midwest, and that’s linked to changing seasonal patterns."

“我们看到越来越多的病例。我们看到病例向北向中西部扩散，这与季节模式的变化有关。”

Scientists are seeing more heavy rains in some regions, drought in others. The rain can create flood plains where mosquitoes breed, and storms, floods and droughts can create conditions conducive⁸ to clusters of water-, mosquito- and rodent-borne diseases. Scientists expect storms and floods to increase the spread of cholera⁹ in developing countries as flooding creates contaminated water.

科学家看到某些地区暴雨增加，另外一些地区干旱加重。暴雨会形成冲击平原，导致蚊虫滋生，暴雨，洪涝和干旱会形成有利于水传播，蚊虫传播和啮齿动物传播疾病的条件。科学家预期暴雨和洪水会加重发展中国家霍乱的传播，因为洪水会造成水污染。

 

Other research concerns the spread of malaria¹⁰. A larger portion of Africa than previously¹¹ predicted is now at high risk for malaria transmission, according to a new University of Florida mapping study. Malaria will arrive in new areas, the research suggests, posing a risk to new populations and will require changes in managing public health. The study also shows that some parts of Africa will become too hot for malaria.

其他一些研究担忧疟疾的传播。根据佛罗里达大学一项最新映射研究，非洲地区比此前预测更大的范围处于疟疾传播高风险。研究称，疟疾将抵达新的地区，为新的人口带来风险，要求管理公共卫生方面做出改变。该研究还显示，非洲一些地方将会变得太热，不适合疟疾存在。

1 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

2 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

3 indirectly   

adv.间接地，不直接了当地

参考例句：

• I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
• They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人，他们进行了间接接触。

4 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句

5 bacterium   

n.(pl.)bacteria 细菌

参考例句：

• The bacterium possibly goes in the human body by the mouth.细菌可能通过口进入人体。
• A bacterium is identified as the cause for his duodenal ulcer.一种细菌被断定为造成他十二指肠溃疡的根源。

6 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

7 northward   

adv.向北；n.北方的地区

参考例句：

• He pointed his boat northward.他将船驶向北方。
• I would have a chance to head northward quickly.我就很快有机会去北方了。

8 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

9 cholera   

n.霍乱

参考例句：

• The cholera outbreak has been contained.霍乱的发生已被控制住了。
• Cholera spread like wildfire through the camps.霍乱在营地里迅速传播。

10 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

11 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。