【英语时差8,16】全球变暖2

We keep pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the earth keeps warming.   Climate scientists have predicted that the consequences of unchecked warming could result in everything from catastrophic flooding to larger and more deadly hurricanes.

So is there anything we can do to stop it?

Here's an idea: pump tons and tons of sulfate particles into the atmosphere to block some sunlight from reaching earth--kind of like what happens in the aftermath of a gigantic volcanic¹ explosion. That's the notion put forth² by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric³ Research. Using computer models, they showed that adding something like one million metric tons of small aerosol⁴ particles to the atmosphere could cut the rise in global temperature in half, from four degrees to two degrees Fahrenheit⁵. So the earth would still warm, but not as much. And this would presumably mean that the disruptive effects of global warming, like drought in some places and too much rainfall in others, wouldn't be as bad.

To be clear, the researchers' predictions are based on computer simulations, which don't always prove to be accurate. And there are a few caveats⁶. First, the simulations also showed that adding too much sulfate to the atmosphere could cool things down too much, which could be just as bad as excessive warming. Also, it's not clear how the sulfate would behave. Instead of spreading evenly throughout the atmosphere it could concentrate in certain areas and cause uneven⁷ cooling.

So the sulfate solution probably won't actually happen any time soon. But it's a start in coming up with creative ways to stop global warming, or at least slow it down.  

1 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。

2 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

3 atmospheric   

adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的

参考例句：

• Sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation are strongly coupled.海洋表面温度与大气环流是密切相关的。
• Clouds return radiant energy to the surface primarily via the atmospheric window.云主要通过大气窗区向地表辐射能量。

4 aerosol   

n.悬浮尘粒，气溶胶，烟雾剂，喷雾器

参考例句：

• They sprayed aerosol insect repellent into the faces of police.他们将喷雾驱虫剂喷在了警察的脸上。
• Aerosol particles affect visibility,climate,and our health and quality of life.气溶胶对大气能见度、气候变化以及人类健康等有重要影响。

5 Fahrenheit   

n./adj.华氏温度；华氏温度计(的)

参考例句：

• He was asked for the boiling point of water in Fahrenheit.他被问到水的沸点是华氏多少度。
• The thermometer reads 80 degrees Fahrenheit.寒暑表指出华氏80度。

6 caveats   

警告

参考例句：

• I would offer a caveat for those who want to join me in the dual calling. 为防止发生误解，我想对那些想要步我后尘的人提出警告。 来自辞典例句
• As I have written before, that's quite a caveat. 正如我以前所写，那确实是个警告。 来自互联网

7 uneven   

adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的

参考例句：

• The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
• The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。