VOA慢速英语2003年-社会广角 C-C-X

 

Broadcast: Feb 7, 2003
By George Grow

This is the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT.

A private North American group has launched an effort to reduce and trade releases of industrial gases linked to the warming of the Earth. This is the first time that businesses operating in more than one industry have agreed to use a market-based system to reduce industrial gas emissions1. The group plans to begin trading emissions¹ credits later this year.

Several companies and the American city of Chicago, Illinois, announced the program last month. It is called the Chicago Climate Exchange, or C-C-X. Members of the group include DuPont, Ford² Motor Company, International Paper, and Motorola.

Each member of the C-C-X has agreed to reduce its release of carbon dioxide2 and other greenhouse gases by four percent over the next four years. Members will receive credit for emissions reductions above four percent. They can sell or trade these credits to other members that have trouble meeting this goal.

Richard Sandor is the chairman of the C-C-X. He praised the companies forming the group for demonstrating leadership. He said they believe that an active way to deal with global warming helps everyone.

The group said its members want to reduce costs they may face from future rules on greenhouse gas emissions. Trading credits may help businesses find the most cost-effective methods to reduce pollution. Members also hope to improve their public image on environmental issues.

One member of the Chicago Climate Exchange is American Electric Power. It the biggest owner of electric power producers in the United States. Company officials say they hope their company's membership³ will demonstrate3 the ability of the C-C-X to grow.

American Electric Power expects to reduce its release of industrial emissions through a number of actions. They include improving the effectiveness of power stations and use of renewable energy. The company also will purchase credits directly from the program.

The C-C-X will supervise⁴ this program for industrial emissions, planting forests or farm products that use carbon dioxide, and other projects in North America.  Companies in Brazil also will be invited to join the program. About one-hundred other businesses have expressed interest in joining. Officials expect a second group of members to be announced in about three months.

This VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT was written by George Grow.
1. emission [ImIF[n] n. (光、热等的)散发，发射，喷射
2. dioxide [daI5CksaId] n. 二氧化碳
3. demonstrate [5dem[nstreIt] vt. 示范，证明
 

1 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

2 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

3 membership   

n.成员资格，会员全体，从属关系

参考例句：

• I must renew my membership of the sailing club.我必须延续我的航海俱乐部会员的资格。
• He made up his mind to apply for membership in the Party.他决心申请入党。

4 supervise   

v.监督，管理，指导

参考例句：

• We must supervise and speed up the fulfilment of assigned tasks.已经布置了的工作，应当认真督促检查。
• Tomorrow he will supervise all the pupils taking the English examination.明天全体学生考英语，他将担任监考。