世界节假日博览 第101期:国际生物多样性日

 The International Day for Biological Diversity, sometimes called World Biodiversity Day, is a United Nations holiday based on biodiversity issues. It started in 1993 and is held on May 22. This is the date of the Rio Earth Summit of 1992. This was a major meeting to discuss life on our planet. A total of 172 governments attended the Summit, with a total of 108 heads of state. The main topics were the environment and sustainable development. Governments discussed ways to halt the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources and to protect ecosystems¹. The day now focuses on the threats climate change has on biodiversity. Experts say that tackling both together will mean we have a better chance of keeping the Earth’s natural riches.

国际生物多样性日由联合国发起，有时被称之为“世界生物多样性日”。起始年份为1993年，日期为5月22日。1992年的这一天，里约地球峰会举行。该峰会是探讨地球生物的重要会议。172个国家政府，108个国家首脑出席峰会。主要议题为环境和可持续发展。并就如何停止自然资源破坏，保护生态系统展开讨论。气候变化威胁多样性成为了当今主题。有专家指出，我们既要解决多样性问题，也要应对气候变化问题，只有这样自然资源才能得到永续发展。

Biodiversity is the total variety of all forms of life on our Earth. It includes life at the genetic² and cell level, through to all plant, fish, insect and animal species. Biodiversity also includes the thousands, perhaps millions, of ecosystems that make up our natural world. The word "biodiversity" arrived in 1985. It is a contraction³ of the words "biological” and “diversity". The word has grown into a very important concept we all need to understand. A respect for biodiversity means an understanding that we must help save our environment. Today, biodiversity is one of the world’s most important issues. Many say that together with climate change, damage to biodiversity is the biggest threat to our survival.

生物多样性代表了地球上的所有生物形式。包括所有动植物、鱼类、昆虫，以及基因和细胞生物。还有数千种，甚至是数百万种自然生态系统。“生物多样性”一词兴起于1985年。它是“生物的”与“多样性”的缩写。我们需要了解“生物多样性”一词的真正含义。为了表达对它的尊敬，我们要拯救环境。当今，生物多样性是全球最紧要问题之一。有人称人类对多样性的破坏，再加上气候变化是威胁生存的最大威胁。

1.climate change 气候变化

例句：We are all victims of climate change.

我们都是气候变化的受害者。

2.sustainable development 可持续发展

例句：The sustainable development of agriculture and agriculture operations are closely related.

农业的持续发展,与农业的经营方式有着密切的关系。

3.need to 需要做

例句：You need to touch up the poem.

你需要给这首诗润色一下。

4.natural resource 自然资源

例句：This type of plant asset is gradually converted into inventory⁴ as the natural resource is extracted from the site.

这一类长期资产将随着自然资源的开采逐渐转化到存货中去。

1 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

2 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

4 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。