Part B 1 Economic Might Versus Ecologic Right

Part B 1. Economic Might Versus Ecologic Right 2. Preserving the Environment

Somewhere between 10, 000 and 15, 000 years ago, man’s first conflict with nature may have begun. Historians and philosophers agree that ever since the development of agriculture, human beings have had an effect on the natural habitat of many plants and animal species. As human populations have increased, so has the death of other living things: as many as 6, 000 species are disappearing each year,

which a number 10, 000 times greater than before man is appeared on the planet. In one day alone, say scientists, some 45 kinds of plants and animals will die. In one year alone, some 17, 500 species will be wiped out. In 1977, the United States Congress took an important step to help the ever-increasing number of endangered species; it passed a law known as the Endangered Species Act.

Through this law, the government officially recognizes the right of all species to share life on the planet. The law requires protection for “endangered species, ” those that may become extinct, and “threatened species, ” those likely to become endangered in the near future. The act has already helped to save the gray wolf and the bald eagle from extinction. At the same time, the act has been powerful in changing or stopping many plans

for land construction and development. For example, a highway-widening project in Illinois 强制， was rerouted in order to protect a rare plant. The 实施， construction of a dam was stopped in Tennessee to 执行snail. protect a tiny endangered With the enforcement of the Endangered Species Act, some species have gained more public recognition than others. Elephants and whales, for example, have received far more media attention

than have the smaller, less known, and less attractive species that are also endangered. Of the 676 native American species that are threatened, only 24 or so have received attention; yet, it is the tiny species, such as bugs and bacteria, that keep the planet in balance. Scientists are becoming ever more concerned with the fact that without equal concern for these species, the planet’s biological diversity will be destroyed, leaving us with a loss of potential new foods and drugs. Their forecast for

the future of this planet is a serious one. On the other hand, some scientists argue that the extinction issue is being exaggerated, and that people are “crying wolf” by describing the loss of species as more alarming than it really is. History proves that every species will eventually become extinct. Evolution of species, they say, naturally involves the extinction of species; man has no control.

In addition, many people point to the fact that the world is already lacking in resources, food, and adequate health care. Concerned more with economic survival, they ask whether it is, in fact, realistic to make a fuss over saving the elephant or other species that may become extinct many years from now, when people have families to feed tomorrow. These people question a law that puts the continuation of lower forms of life above man’s own survival.

While the argument continues over how much effort should be made to save species from extinction, the addition of 3, 800 species on the endangered species list is impending, and many land developers and some farmers find decreasing opportunities to make a living.

habitat 自然环境，栖息地 This creature’s habitat is the jungle. habitable 适于居住的 This house is no longer habitable because of so many mice. habitation 居住，家宅 This house is unfit for human habitation.

alone 单独，孤独；只有，仅仅 I don’t like going out alone at dark. It will be difficult for one person alone. Time alone will tell. (idm. ) 日久自明 The shoes alone cost $100. 光是鞋就花了100美元。

media 大众传播具 a book that is often mentioned in the media The medias are to blame for starting the rumors. a media personality 新闻人物 good media coverage of the event 对该事件及时而全面的新闻报道

alarming 使人害怕的，扰乱人心的 an alarming increase in the number of thievery alarmed 担心，害怕 I am rather alarmed that you are planning to leave the company.

lack v. 缺乏，不足 They lacked the money to send him to university. lack be lacking in self-confidence, courage, creativity… Money for the project is still lacking. n. The project had to be abandoned for lack of funds.

Recently more and more attention has been focused on the problem of preserving the environment. The fact that a Government Ministry in Great Britain called the Department of the Environment has been created shows how important the issue is considered to be. Over the past thirty years or so the quality of many people’s lives has deteriorated in some respects because of technological progress.

Those people living near airports are constantly attacked by the noise of increasingly larger and more powerful jet aircraft taking off and landing. We have ugly buildings which have sprung up in towns and cities. Some of these are blocks of flats – high-rise buildings built because of the high price of land, which seem more like breeding boxes than houses where people have space to live. Worse still, much of our building effort has been channeled into the construction of more and more

large office blocks at the expense of much needed housing for the growing urban population. The motor car has been responsible for many changes in the environment. On the one hand, it has brought mobility to millions of people, but on the other it has led to the construction of more and more noisy and dangerous roads and has polluted the atmosphere with exhaust fumes.

While towns and cities have become larger and uglier and more densely populated, the rural areas have lost most of their population owing to the need for fewer workers in agriculture. The countryside has also been affected by the large-scale use of insecticides. For one thing, the killing of insects has resulted in a loss of balance in the ecology. Insects, although a nuisance to farmers, provide food for birds. Many people are afraid that

fruit and vegetables sprayed with chemicals may have some poisonous effect upon the people who eat them. Recently, however, certain counter measures against the destruction of the environment have been introduced. One of the first acts of Parliament to counter pollution was the Clean Air Act, which opened the way to smokeless zones in large towns and cities. This followed a very bad winter

in which many people became very ill or died through the effects of a mixture of smoke, fog, and fumes known as “smog”. Rivers which used to be polluted by industrial chemical waste are now being cleaned and fish which could not live there a few years ago can be caught again.

The fact shows how important the issue is considered to be. The fact is that a Government Ministry is created. The Government Ministry is in Great Britain and it’s called the Department of the Environment.

spring v. jump quickly or suddenly spring to life 突然活跃起来 spring back 弹回原来的位置 The branch sprang back and hit me in the face. spring from 发源，来自于 Hatred often springs from fear.

spring up 迅速或突然出现，发展 New houses were springing up all over the town. Doubts have begun to spring up in my mind.

breed 繁殖，饲养，养育，教育 breed cattle, horse, dog… 养牛，马，狗等 a well-bred child 有教养的孩子 Unemployment breeds social problems. 失业造成一些社会问题

channel v. 经水道运送，引导 Water is channeled through a series of irrigation canals. 把水引入一系列灌溉渠中 We must channel all our energies into the new scheme. 我们必须把一切精力都用到新的计划上

expense n. 花费，代价 at sb’s expense 由某人付费 at greatlittleno etc. expense 花费 at the expense of sth. 在损失的情况下 go toput sb. to the expense of sth. doing sth. 在某事物上花钱

We were entertained at the monitor’s expense. We can redecorate the room at little expense if we use the old paint. He built a successful business but it was all one at the expense of his health. It’s stupid to go to the expense of taking music lessons if you never practice.

exhaust n. v. exhaust fumes 排出的废气 My car needs a new exhaust. 排气管 The long trip exhausted her. 疲惫不堪 exhaust one’s patience, strength, a money supply… 失去耐性，用尽力气，把钱用光

counter n. 柜台，筹码 (idm. ) over the counter （药品）无处方 under the counter 暗中交易，走后门 These tablets are available over the counter. 无需处方可直接购买 In a lot of countries, drug is being sold under the counter.

adv. ~ to sth. 与某事物方向相反，相反的 act counter to sb’s wishes 违背意愿 Economic trends are running counter to the forecasts. 经济发展趋势与预测结果完全相反

v. 反对，反击 They countered our proposal with one of their own. 针对我们的建议提出了一项相反的建议 I pointed out the shortcomings of the scheme, but he countered that the plans were not yet finished. 我指出那方案的缺点，他申辩说各项计划尚未完成