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VOA慢速英语2014--New Documentary Shows Danger of Fracking in Southern Africa 新纪录片显示水力压裂技术威胁非洲南部

时间:2014-02-12 15:07:03

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New Documentary Shows Danger of Fracking in Southern Africa 新纪录片显示水力压裂技术威胁非洲南部

From VOA Learning English, this is Science in the News.  I’m Bob Doughty1

And I’m Katherine Cole.  Today we go to Botswana, where an international gathering2 recently agreed on urgent steps to protect elephants in Africa.  But first, we report on a new movie about the search for oil and gas, and what the film forced the government of Botswana to do.

Jeff Barbee is an American filmmaker.  He records real life events on film.  Mr. Barbee was working on a story in South Africa about the Karoo desert when he saw a map of Botswana.  What he saw shocked him.  The map showed that large parts of Botswana were open for oil and gas exploration.

He traveled to the country.  There he found evidence that the government had given its permission for fracking in environmentally sensitive areas.  But officials had not told anyone about the activity. 

Fracking is also called hydraulic3 fracturing.  It is a process that uses high-pressure water and chemicals to break up underground rocks.  This can cause oil or natural gas to be released.  Critics say fracking operations are noisy.  They also say fracking can create air pollution and pollute water supplies.  But supporters say the activity is safe and creates jobs.  And they say it will help meet the world’s future energy needs.

Mr. Barbee's discovery of fracking in Botswana led him to make a documentary on the subject.  His film is called “The High Cost of Cheap Gas.”  It documents and compares the process in both Botswana and the American state of Colorado.  The film aims to show Africans what their future may look like if fracking operations continue. 

In the film, farmers in Colorado say they had to stop raising cattle because fracking ruined the animals’ water supply.  Some Americans said they suspect fracking made them sick.  Medical experts noted4 serious health problems from the chemical by-products released.  Jeff Barbee says this could all happen in Africa.

The film reports what few people have known: that Botswana’s government had quietly permitted searches for oil and gas in rural, unpopulated areas of the country.  Mr. Barbee spoke5 to officials from Sasol, an energy business based in South Africa.  The officials spoke about their projects in Botswana.  The film uses hidden cameras to show what appeared to be fracking operations in national parks. 

Mr. Barbee says the movie is not designed to criticize fracking.  He says it is an effort to educate people about the process.  He hopes this will lead to international discussions on the future of the industry. 

Allan Schwartz is an environmentalist.  He says the film will have an effect on people not only in Botswana, but around the world.  He says the movie is about getting people to talk to each other, and to make sure they understand the effects of breaking up the underground rock.

Mr. Schwartz says fracking has already caused problems in his home country, Mozambique.

“The fracking at this stage is exploratory, and it’s happening on the borders of South Africa and Zimbabwe, and the consequences there at this stage is that it’s providing money to a kleptocratic government.  It does not provide any work at all for anybody who is on the ground, who is local.  But it is a massive amount of money that is coming in.”

Mr. Barbee says the discussions need to start with solid facts.  He notes that the oil and gas industry has provided financial support for many pro-fracking studies.  He says he used only independent research to make the film.

“This is a baseline where we can all have a communal6 conversation focused on the facts.  Yes, there will be jobs, but those jobs might be more temporary than the governments and industry will admit.  Yes, there are environmental impacts, but maybe they’re not as bad as some environmentalists say.  Yes, in fact, this industry can go forward safely in some areas here, but maybe not in the protected national parks which have been set aside for decades for the future of humanity.”

At first, the government in Botswana denied it had given approval for fracking operations in the country.  But after the movie was released, the government confirmed that some sub-surface fracturing had been approved.

Botswana has a comparatively small population for a country of its size.  Only about two million people live there.  Botswana is about the same size as Kenya, where more than 43 million people live.  

The secrecy7 of letting energy companies search for gas and oil was a surprise to many.  Botswana is known to be one of Africa’s least-corrupt nations.  Its economy is based on the trade of diamonds.

Shortly after the film was shown last year, the government released a statement.  It said “Permission has…been given in some instances, in the past, for the use of industrial explosives in sub-surface fracturing, which some may view as a type of ‘fracking.’”

 

The government said it has given permission for oil and gas explorations in Chobe National Park.  The park is home to the world’s largest herd8 of migrating elephants. Fracking is also taking place in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, home to the San people.  The San are believed to be one of the world’s oldest cultures.  They have for many years fought the government over land they claim as theirs.

Richard Lee works at the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.  The group provided financing for the film.  Mr. Lee says it is important for Botswana’s government to show transparency and be more open with the public.

“This is the story about gas concessions9 across a country that people in that country don’t know anything about.  So, yes, the impact on the San is important, but so is the impact on other people in the country, and the nation as a whole. And that’s why everyone in the country needs to have the right information, the latest information, so that they can decide for themselves what’s in the best interests of Botswana.” 

The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa placed information about the film and the issue of fracking on its website.  There is also a page on the Facebook social media website with more information about the film and fracking.  Mr. Barbee says all he wants is for the people of Botswana to be able to decide how much fracking -- if any -- they want to permit in their country.

Finally, an international gathering in Botswana has agreed on a plan of action to fight illegal trade in ivory and protect elephant populations in Africa.  The International Union for Conservation of Nature announced the new measures late last year at the African Elephant Summit in Botswana's capital, Gabarone.

Ivory can be used in artwork or manufacturing.  The hard, white material comes from the tusks10 or teeth of elephants.

The new international agreement urges governments to identify ivory trafficking as a serious crime.  It calls on them to require the strongest sentences for crimes against wildlife.  It also urges nations to work together on legal issues such as the capture and trial of criminal suspects and seizure11 of their property.

The president of Botswana, Ian Khama, told the delegates he supports the agreement. 

“A strong momentum12 from all over the world is developing to turn this tide, and many nations and individuals are calling for solutions that are implementable and will work.  It is now time for Africa and Asia to join forces to protect this universally valued species.  I wholeheartedly invite your active participation13 and equally anticipate your unprecedented14 commitment to action.” 

The gathering included government agencies and wildlife organizations from African nations where elephants live.  Representatives of Asian nations whose citizens buy ivory were also present.

Julia Marton-Lefevre is the head of the International Union for Conservation.  She says it is a good sign that both African and Asian nations attended the summit.

“The fact that this was a meeting involving the entire value chain of the elephant situation, the range countries, the transition countries and the consumer countries was unique and very important.  And I think this sort of model will actually be followed in other parts of the world for other species and of course the Asian elephant also.”

Conference organizers said Africa could lose 20 percent of its elephant population in 10 years if illegal hunting continues at the current rate.  They said the hunting has increased in recent years because of poverty and weak governance in Africa.  They also noted rising demand for ivory in some countries.

Recently, China publicly destroyed more than six tons of ivory.  The move was an effort to raise public understanding of the importance to protect wildlife. 

Experts say Africa has an estimated 500,000 elephants.  Botswana’s wildlife and tourism minister, Tshekedi Khama, says elephants help the economies of African nations.  He says that without the animals, Botswana’s travel industry would suffer.  And he says making a decision to protect the elephants is not only for those at higher levels in the government, but for communities across the nation. 

This Science in the News was written by Christopher Cruise.  Our producer was June Simms.  I’m Bob Doughty.

And I’m Katherine Cole.  Join us again next week for more news about science on the Voice of America.


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 doughty Jk5zg     
adj.勇猛的,坚强的
参考例句:
  • Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质:脾气倔强,性格刚强。
  • The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。
2 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
3 hydraulic AcDzt     
adj.水力的;水压的,液压的;水力学的
参考例句:
  • The boat has no fewer than five hydraulic pumps.这艘船配有不少于5个液压泵。
  • A group of apprentics were operating the hydraulic press.一群学徒正在开动水压机。
4 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
5 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
6 communal VbcyU     
adj.公有的,公共的,公社的,公社制的
参考例句:
  • There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
  • The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。
7 secrecy NZbxH     
n.秘密,保密,隐蔽
参考例句:
  • All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
  • Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。
8 herd Pd8zb     
n.兽群,牧群;vt.使集中,把…赶在一起
参考例句:
  • She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
  • He had no opinions of his own but simply follow the herd.他从无主见,只是人云亦云。
9 concessions 6b6f497aa80aaf810133260337506fa9     
n.(尤指由政府或雇主给予的)特许权( concession的名词复数 );承认;减价;(在某地的)特许经营权
参考例句:
  • The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工,公司将不得不作出一些让步。
  • The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。
10 tusks d5d7831c760a0f8d3440bcb966006e8c     
n.(象等动物的)长牙( tusk的名词复数 );獠牙;尖形物;尖头
参考例句:
  • The elephants are poached for their tusks. 为获取象牙而偷猎大象。
  • Elephant tusks, monkey tails and salt were used in some parts of Africa. 非洲的一些地区则使用象牙、猴尾和盐。 来自英语晨读30分(高一)
11 seizure FsSyO     
n.没收;占有;抵押
参考例句:
  • The seizure of contraband is made by customs.那些走私品是被海关没收的。
  • The courts ordered the seizure of all her property.法院下令查封她所有的财产。
12 momentum DjZy8     
n.动力,冲力,势头;动量
参考例句:
  • We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
  • The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。
13 participation KS9zu     
n.参与,参加,分享
参考例句:
  • Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
  • The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。
14 unprecedented 7gSyJ     
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。

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