The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is a wake-up call. It is a call for every American to pay attention to the destruction we risk by allowing human-induced(导致的) climate change to continue. It is impossible to prove that Hurricane Katrina was caused by global warming, or even that human activities made the storm more severe. However, a paper published in the scholarly journal Nature reports that the force of dangerous hurricanes has increased by 50% during the last 50 years. It also reports that a global warming-induced rise in temperature near the ocean’s surface has probably contributed to this increase in dangerous storms, and thus to property(财产) damage and human death.

On August 30, the Los Angeles Times summed up(总结) the view of many scientists who agree that if the frequency of hurricanes does not decrease in the next few years, then we will be fairly certain that humans, and not natural storm cycle, are at the root of the problem. I believe there is at least a chance that by reducing U.S. reliance on fossil fuels for energy, we can prevent future tragedies like Hurricane Katrina. Let the change begin now.

There are many ways to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions. My family drives the most fuel-efficient car we can afford, but I prefer to take public transportation whenever possible. My family buys locally grown food instead of produce that was transported thousands of miles on fuel-burning vehicles. We also replaced our incandescent light bulbs(白炽灯泡)with more energy-efficient compact fluorescents(荧光灯). This might sound like a trivial move, but the Union of Concerned Scientists reports that if every household in the United States replaced one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent, it would have the same effect on U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions as removing 7.5 million cars from the roads. Now think if every household replaced not just one but all of their incandescent bulbs!

The United States, with just five percent of the world’s population, is responsible for close to one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, yet our country is doing far less than most European nations to fight global warming. We don’t have to sacrifice our lifestyles; Europeans enjoy the same standards of living as Americans. So what are we waiting for? It is time to act.

1. Which of the following is a fact?

A.Hurricane Katrina was caused by global warming.

B.Human activities made the storm more severe.

C.The force of dangerous hurricanes has increased by 50 percent during the last 50 years.

D.A global rise in temperature near the ocean’s surface accounts for more dangerous storms.

2.From Paragraph 2 we can infer that many scientists agree ________.

A.it might be human activities that lead to global warming.

B.natural storm cycles have caused global warming.

C.hurricanes are likely to come more frequently.

D.burning fossil fuels for energy is a better alternative.

3. If every household in the U.S. replaced all their incandescent bulbs, ________.

A.it would have the same effect as removing 7.5 million cars from the roads.

B.it would save 7.5 million tons of carbon-dioxide from going into the air.

C.this would reduce the total output of CO?emissions in huge amounts.

D.cars will be much more environmentally friendly.

4. According to the writer,_______in reducing the volume of greenhouse gas emissions.

A.Europe does a better job.

B.Europe should follow the example of America.

C.he, as an European, wants to see more efforts made by Americans.

D.Europeans should shoulder a greater responsibility.

 

Human Capital - How what you know shapes your life

         Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 20 Feb 2007

         Language: English ISBN: 9789264029088  Price: ?15  £19  1$10

         This book explores the influence of education and learning on our societies and lives and examines what countries are doing to provide education and training to support people throughout their lives.

         Economic Policy Reforms -- Going/or Growth, 2007 Edition

         Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 15 Feb 2007

         Language: English ISBN: 9789264030473  Price: ?60| £75 |$41

         Based on a broad set of indicators of structural policies and performance, Going for Growth 2007 takes stock of the recent progress made in implementing policy reforms and identifies, for each OECD country, five policy priorities to lift growth.

         Climate Change in the European Alps -- Adapting Winter Tourism and Natural Hazards Management

         Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 22 Jan 2007

         Language: English ISBN: 9789264031685  Price: ?24 £32$ 17

         The first systematic cross-country analysis of snow-reliability of Alpine ski areas under climate change for five countries in the region: France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany.

         OECD in Figures 2006--2007--Statistics on the Member Countries -- OECD Observer

         -- Volume 2006 Supplement 1

         Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 05 Jan 2007

         Language: English ISBN: 9789264022638 Price.; ?15 |£20 |$10

         A handy pocket reference containing key data covering the entire range of OECD

         work including the economy, employment, health, education, migration, the environment, science and technolog y, public finances, agriculture, trade, and development aid.

         OECD Economic Outlook -- December No, 80 -- Volume 2006 Issue 2

         Version: Print (Paperback) Publication date: 26 Jan 2007

         language-English ISBN: 9789264030954 Price: ?80 | £97|$55

         OECD's twice yearly assessment and projections for the economies of the OECD area and selected non-members.This edition also looks at the rise in household debt.

1.Which of the following books was published most lately?

         A.OECD in Figures 2006-2007.

         B.OECD Economic Outlook.

         C.Human Capital.

         D.Climate Change in the European Alps.

2.We can learn from the passage that Alps is _______ .

         A.an Austrian interesting place most attractive in summer seasons

         B.an European mountain belonging to three countries

         C.a stadium for skiing lovers from five European countries

         D.an European mountain famous for its winter skiing

3.From the book with ISBN ____ you can get a wider range of information about OEC         D.

         A.9789264029088                    B.9789264022638

         C.9789264030954                  D.9789264030473

4.You should afford _______ Euro dollars for a book to know about the recent progress in economic policies in the OECD countries.

         A.60                B.15                    C.55                D.80

5.All the five books are ______.

         A.written in English

         B.concerned about OECD countries

         C.involved with education and economy

         D.published by the same print

 

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