VOA常速英语2017--北极理事会召开部长级会议 商策如何应对全球变暖

The Arctic region is warming faster than any other region on earth, more than twice the rate of the global average according to recent reports. This means, among other things, that areas of the Arctic Ocean that were formerly¹ inaccessible² to humans are opening up for increased human traffic.

北极圈变暖的速度属全球第一，最近的报道显示，其变暖速度是全球平均速度的两倍。这意味着，此前北冰洋地区人类可进入的区域正在逐渐扩大。

But the warming of the Arctic raises the risks for fragile land and marine³ ecosystems⁴, which must be managed through a balanced approach, lest they become damaged beyond recovery.

但北极圈的变暖给脆弱的土地和海洋生态系统带来了风险，因为这两者需要平衡过来维系，否则就会遭到不可修复性的破坏。

This is where the Arctic Council comes in. A high-level forum⁵ of the eight nations with territory in the region and representatives of indigenous⁶ peoples who live in the region, the biennial⁷ Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting gives Arctic nations and peoples a forum in which to address these concerns, balancing the protection of the Arctic's fragile environment with responsible, sustainable development.

这就是北极理事会成立的目的。北极理事会部长级会议是一次高层论坛，集聚北极地区的8个国家和当地民众代表，它两年一度的召开给了北极圈地区国家和人民一个解决上述关切的机会，在保护北极脆弱生态环境与实现负责任的可持续发展之间找到了平衡点。

On May 10th and 11th, in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Council held its 10th Ministerial Meeting, which marked the conclusion of the two-year U.S. chairmanship of this body. Under U.S. leadership, the Council completed an assessment⁸ of the telecommunications infrastructure⁹ in the Arctic; launched a new Arctic Ship Traffic Database to keep track of vessels¹⁰ passing through the Arctic; and implemented¹¹ two agreements signed by Council members during the last meeting, one on improving search-and-rescue in the Arctic region, and the second on preparing and responding to potential oil pollution incidents in the Arctic.

5月10日-11日，阿拉斯加的费尔班克斯举行了第十届北极理事会部长级会议，这次会议上宣布结束美国2年来对北极理事会的领导。在美国的领导下，该理事会完成了对北极圈电信基础设施的评估工作；设立了新的北极圈航行数据库，以追踪北极圈内航行舰艇的情况；实施了两份在这次会议中北极理事会成员国签订的协议，一份是提升北极圈搜救能力的，一份是应对并为可能的油污染事件做准备的。

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the other foreign ministers also signed two documents at the Fairbanks Ministerial: a binding¹² agreement that will promote scientific cooperation throughout the Arctic, and the Fairbanks Declaration, a non-binding statement that affirms the signatories' commitment to maintain peace, stability, and constructive¹³ cooperation in the Arctic; promotes the economic development of indigenous peoples there; and recognizes that climate change is a serious threat to the Arctic, and calls for timely action to address this threat.

美国国务卿蒂勒森以及其他一些外长还在费尔班克斯的部长级会议上签订了2份文件：一份具有约束力，将会促进北极圈地区的科学合作；另一份名为《费尔班克斯宣言》，不具有约束力，这份宣言确认了签约国要致力于维护北极圈地区的和平、稳定和建设性合作，促进了北极圈地区的经济发展，承认气候变化是对北极圈的严重威胁，并呼吁及时采取行动，解决这一威胁。

The United States had been privileged to lead the Arctic Council at a time when the Arctic region has been facing unprecedented¹⁴ change and challenges, said Secretary Tillerson, who hosted the meeting as Chair of the Arctic Council.

美国有此殊荣，在北极圈地区面临前所未有的变故和挑战之际领导北极理事会，蒂勒森在以北极理事会主席身份主持会议期间如是说道。

The Arctic Council...has proven to be an indispensable forum in which we can pursue cooperation. I want to affirm that the United States will continue to be an active member in this Council. The opportunity to chair the Council has only strengthened our commitment to continuing its work in the future.

北极理事会已经成为我们追求合作不可或缺的论坛。我想申明，美国将继续积极参与北极理事会的事务。主持北极理事会的机会让我们坚定了未来继续推进这项工作的决心。

1 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

2 inaccessible   

adj.达不到的，难接近的

参考例句：

• This novel seems to me among the most inaccessible.这本书对我来说是最难懂的小说之一。
• The top of Mount Everest is the most inaccessible place in the world.珠穆朗玛峰是世界上最难到达的地方。

3 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

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 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

6 indigenous   

adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的

参考例句：

• Each country has its own indigenous cultural tradition.每个国家都有自己本土的文化传统。
• Indians were the indigenous inhabitants of America.印第安人是美洲的土著居民。

7 biennial   

adj.两年一次的

参考例句：

• The workers were strongly against the biennial election.工人们强烈反对两年一次的选举。
• His is a biennial,and one of the most useful pasture plants we have.这是两年生植物，也是我们最有用的牧草之一。

8 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

9 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

10 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

11 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

12 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

13 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。

14 unprecedented   

adj.无前例的，新奇的

参考例句：

• The air crash caused an unprecedented number of deaths.这次空难的死亡人数是空前的。
• A flood of this sort is really unprecedented.这样大的洪水真是十年九不遇。