新奇事件簿 光污染带走夜晚黑暗

The amount and brightness of light from towns and cities around the world is at such a high level that it is reducing the darkness of night. Once upon a time, when night-time fell, we were plunged¹ into darkness. Things are different, and brighter today. A study published in the journal Science Advances reports that artificial light at night is increasing in most countries worldwide. Scientists say it grew by 2.2 per cent a year between 2012 and 2016. The intrusion of artificial light into our night-time is causing us many problems. The International Dark-Sky Association says it, "is not only impairing² our view of the universe, it is adversely³ affecting our environment, our safety, our energy consumption and our health".

来自全世界城镇光线的数量和亮度都达到相当高的水平，减少了夜晚的黑暗。以前，夜幕降临的时候，我们会被黑暗笼罩。而今时不同往日，夜晚更加明亮。《科学进展》杂志上发表的一份研究报道称，世界上大部分国家的人造光线都越来越多。科学家表示，2012年至2016年间，人造光线以每年2.2%的速度增长。夜间人造光线的入侵给我们带来许多问题。国际夜空联合会表示，“人造光线不仅损害了我们对宇宙的看法，还对我们的环境、安全、能量消耗和健康带来负面影响。”

Study co-author Franz Holker said artificial light is a threat to our natural environment. He said: "Artificial light is an environmental pollutant⁴ that threatens nocturnal animals and affects plants and microorganisms." He added: "[It] has ecological⁵ and evolutionary⁶ implications for many organisms from bacteria to mammals, including us humans, and may reshape entire social ecological systems." Many environmentalists thought the introduction of LED lights would help the planet. However, cities are using more LED lights because they are cheaper, which is adding to the light pollution. Night-time light decreased in 16 countries, including war-torn nations such as Yemen and Syria.

研究联合作者Franz Holker表示，人造光线对我们的自然环境来说是一个威胁。他说：“人造光线是一种环境污染，威胁夜间动物，影响植物和微生物。”他补充说：“人造光线对许多有机体有着生态和进化方面的影响，从细菌到哺乳动物，包括我们人类，或许会重新塑造整个社会生态系统。”许多环境保护学家认为LED灯的引入可以帮助地球。然而，由于LED灯比较便宜，城市使用的LED灯越来越多，从而增加了光污染。不过，16个国家的夜间光线减少，包括战乱频仍的也门和叙利亚等国。

 

1 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

2 impairing   

v.损害，削弱( impair的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Carbon monoxide is definitely capable of impairing cardiovascular function. 一氧化碳确实能损害心血管机能。 来自辞典例句
• Could it be effected without impairing his reputation as well as his fortune? 他能否不损害他的声誉和财富而办到这一点呢？ 来自辞典例句

3 adversely   

ad.有害地

参考例句：

• We commented adversely upon the imbecility of that message of telegraphic style. 我们对着这条电报式的愚蠢的留言发泄了一通不满。
• Widely fluctuating exchange rates may adversely affect international trade. 浮动幅度很大的汇率可能会对国际贸易产生有害的影响。

4 pollutant   

n.污染物质，散布污染物质者

参考例句：

• Coal itself is a heavy pollutant.煤本身就是一种严重的污染物。
• Carbon dioxide may not be a typical air pollutant.二氧化碳可能不是一种典型的污染物。

5 ecological   

adj.生态的，生态学的

参考例句：

• The region has been declared an ecological disaster zone.这个地区已经宣布为生态灾难区。
• Each animal has its ecological niche.每种动物都有自己的生态位.

6 evolutionary   

adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的

参考例句：

• Life has its own evolutionary process.生命有其自身的进化过程。
• These are fascinating questions to be resolved by the evolutionary studies of plants.这些十分吸引人的问题将在研究植物进化过程中得以解决。