纪录片《美丽中国》 第40期 神奇高原（12）（在线收听）

With its profound effect on Asia's weather and water systems,

由于对亚洲气候和水资源体系的深远影响

the Tibetan plateau helps to sustain almost half the world's population.

青藏高原养活了差不多一半的世界人口

For the moment,at least.

至少在现在就是这样

Close to the summit of Mount Everest,

在接近珠穆朗玛峰峰顶的地方

a forest of ice once covered much of the area.

冰层曾经覆盖过大部分的地域

But now,thanks to climate change,

但是现在由于气候的变化

much of it has gone.

大部分冰层消失了

Within the next 30 years

在接下来的30年里

it's predicted that 80% of the Tibetan glaciers could disappear.

预计西藏80%的冰川将会消失

In many ways,

从许多方面来说

Tibet's fragile environment is the barometer of our world.

西藏脆弱的环境是世界生态的晴雨表

What happens to it today,

它今天发生了什么，

in time,will affect us all.

迟早会影响到所有人