VOA慢速英语2015 地热钻探威胁肯尼亚的野生动物

AS IT IS 2015-02-25 Geothermal Drilling Is a Threat to Kenya's Wildlife 地热钻探威胁肯尼亚的野生动物

Geothermal power comes from heat trapped deep under the Earth’s surface. It can be used to generate¹, or produce, electricity.

Kenya’s Rift² Valley is rich in geothermal energy. Some Kenyans believe geothermal resources are the answer to their nation’s energy needs. But most of the drilling sites – areas of exploration -- are in the national park system. Many foreigners go to the parks just to see Kenyan wildlife in their natural environment.

The Rift Valley extends³ through the heart of Kenya. The area provides a home to many animals and other wildlife. National parks and protected areas can be found along the length of the valley. For some species⁴, these areas are their last hope for survival⁵.

But many Kenyans are coming to depend on the Rift Valley for something else: electricity.

The Olkaria geothermal power center produces 280 megawatts of geothermal electricity. That is enough to meet the power needs of 500,000 homes.

The country hopes to generate 5,000 geothermal megawatts by 2030. Using geothermal energy has already reduced the cost of power. The energy is needed for economic growth in a country where only 23 percent of the population has electricity.

But the Okaria Geothermal center sits inside Hell’s Gate, a national park. That is a concern for environmental activists⁶ like Silas Wanjala. He says that Kenyan officials are considering other parks for geothermal projects. It is a coincidence, he says, that these same areas are rich in biodiversity.

“It is a coincidence that these areas are also the only main areas in which we have important biodiversity.”

Geothermal energy is considered “green” or friendly to the environment. Since it depends on the Earth’s natural heat, it is also sustainable, or able to last a long time.

However, the need for roads and other development means geothermal energy can damage the environment.

Simon Thomsett has worked with the birds of Hell’s Gate for years. He says the park is an excellent habitat for rare species. He blames the power generation in the park for the loss of several large birds of prey⁷.

“Everybody recognized it was a fantastic location for raptors. It is full of cliffs⁸, and so that means you have got eagles and vultures that nest on the cliffs. We lost the Lammergier in 1979, we lost the white-backed vulture, and then we started to have a cascade⁹ of losses.  And the single reason is because of the power generation in the park.”

Silas Wanjala says development has also damaged plant life in the park. And he says large mammals like buffalo¹⁰ are not as healthy as they once were.

Local guides say the development is hurting tourism and threatening their main source of money. Tour guide Robert Kiambati grew up near the park. He says he does not blame visitors for being disappointed. Some, he said, have called Hell’s Gate more of an industrial area than a national park.

“Some tourists complain, and actually on several occasions¹¹, we found some even asking for some refund¹² because they did not expect such development in the park.  For them it is more of an industrial park than a national park.”

But, Simon Thomsett says it is difficult for conservationists to win the debate on the environment when Kenya is so in need of energy.

“The Wildlife Act is obliged¹³ to protect our endangered species, especially.  But we also have the needs of the country to produce the power.  So there is a huge area of conflict.  One side has got to win, and now who has won is the energy side.”

Kenya is not the only African country facing the choice between conservation and energy. Experts predict that Africa’s population will increase sharply¹⁴ during the next 10 to 20 years, and so will its demand for electricity.  It appears this conflict has only just begun.

Words and This Story

generate - v., to produce something or cause something to be produced

geothermal - adj., of, relating to, or using the natural heat produced inside the Earth

coincidence - n., a situation in which events happen at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected; something unusual

biodiversity - n., the existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in an environment

conservationists - n., someone who works to protect animals, plants, and natural resources or to prevent the loss or waste of natural resources;

1 generate   

vt.生成，产生（光、热、电等）导致

参考例句：

• We need someone to generate new ideas.我们需要有人出新主意。
• This book will continue to generate excitement for a long time.这本书将在很长一段时间里继续使人们为之激动。

2 rift   

n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入

参考例句：

• He was anxious to mend the rift between the two men.他急于弥合这两个人之间的裂痕。
• The sun appeared through a rift in the clouds.太阳从云层间隙中冒出来。

3 extends   

v.（空间、时间等）延伸，延续( extend的第三人称单数 )；伸展；给予；延长

参考例句：

• This country extends its power and influence into neighbouring countries. 这个国家将其势力与影响扩大至邻国。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His domain extends for 20 miles in every direction. 方圆20英里之内都是他的地产。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 species   

n.物种，种群

参考例句：

• Are we the only thinking species in the whole of creation?我们是万物中惟一有思想的物种吗？
• This species of bird now exists only in Africa.这种鸟现在只存在于非洲。

5 survival   

n.留住生命，生存，残存，幸存者

参考例句：

• The doctor told my wife I had a fifty-fifty chance of survival.医生告诉我的妻子，说我活下去的可能性只有50%。
• The old man was a survival of a past age.这位老人是上一代的遗老。

6 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

8 cliffs   

n.悬崖，峭壁（cliff的复数形式）

参考例句：

• the chalk cliffs of southern England 英格兰南部的白垩质峭壁
• Local folklore has it that prehistoric men drove cattle over these cliffs. 当地民间传说中称，史前人类把野牛从这些悬崖上驱赶下去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 cascade   

n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下

参考例句：

• She watched the magnificent waterfall cascade down the mountainside.她看着壮观的瀑布从山坡上倾泻而下。
• Her hair fell over her shoulders in a cascade of curls.她的卷发像瀑布一样垂在肩上。

10 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

11 occasions   

n.机会( occasion的名词复数 )；时刻；原因；需要

参考例句：

• The prosecution stated that intercourse had occurred on several occasions. 控诉方称发生过数次性交。
• He has been late on numerous occasions. 他已经迟到过无数次了。

12 refund   

v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款

参考例句：

• They demand a refund on unsatisfactory goods.他们对不满意的货品要求退款。
• We'll refund your money if you aren't satisfied.你若不满意，我们愿意退款给你。

13 obliged   

adj.感激，感谢v.迫使做( oblige的过去式和过去分词 )；使负义务；满足请求；施惠

参考例句：

• We were obliged, faute de mieux, to drink the local beverage. 因为没有更好的饮料，我们只好将就着喝当地的。
• Parents are obliged by law to send their children to school. 法律规定父母必须送子女入学。

14 sharply   

adj.锐利地，急速；adv.严厉地，鲜明地

参考例句：

• The plane dived sharply and rose again.飞机猛然俯冲而后又拉了起来。
• Demand for personal computers has risen sharply.对个人电脑的需求急剧增长。