A series of climate reports show that the temperatures on earth are rising. That is the bad news. The good news is that countries are working together to fight climate change. Michael Oppenheimer is a professor of geosciences and international affairs. He says air pollution emissions must be reduced before temperatures rise.
The recent United Nations Talks in Peru were designed to prepare officials for a meeting in Paris, France later this year. Many nations will sign a global climate agreement at the meeting. The agreement reached in Peru is different from earlier agreements. Developing countries like China and India are promising to join richer countries in reducing emissions. U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry says developing countries are having an effect on the environment. “More than half of global emissions are coming from developing countries. So it is imperative that they act, too.”
China and United States acted—they signed an agreement. American officials said the U. S. would reduce emissions between 26 and 28 percent by 2025. China said it would begin reducing emissions in 2030. Michael Oppenheimer says other countries will release their environmental plans early this year. He says negotiations continue to discuss details of the agreement before the conference opens in Paris. But he says he hopes people understand that the agreement is just the beginning of efforts to reduce global warming.
Experts say a two-degree rise in temperature above pre-industrial times will cause serious damage that cannot be reversed. The pre-industrial period ended in the middle of the 18th century. That was followed by the industrial revolution, when machines and new manufacturing processes were created. Professor Oppenheimer says if countries do not take action, the planet will become warmer faster than at any time in the history of civilization.
32. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Temperatures on earth are going up
B. Countries are working together to handle climate change
C. A global climate agreement was reached in Peru
D. Developing countries take action to reduce global warming
33. Michael Oppenheimer thinks that ____________.
A. temperature rise caused by new technology B. developing countries are to blame for air pollution
C. China has a large effect on the environment D. action should be taken to reduce air pollution
34. What makes the agreement reached in Peru special?
A. More people join in reducing global warming
B. Such a meeting has been held in Peru for the first time
C. More details of the agreement have been discussed
D. China and India will join in reducing emissions
35. What may be the main reason why the planet becomes warmer faster than before?
A. People in modern society lack the sense of environmental protection
B. Machines and new manufacturing processes will cause more emissions
C. Developed countries don’t want to take responsibility for environment
D. Developing countries have to ability to reduce air pollution emissions
BDDB
A. Profits enlarging B. Technology developing C. Education investing D. Benefits transferring E. Dominance disappearing F. A nation rising |
The following is an imaginary diary entry written by US president. This diary is part of Global Trends 2025, which was written by the US National Intelligence Council
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The
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Global wealth and economic power will shift from West to East.
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The transition from old fuels to new will be slow, as will the development of new technologies that present feasible alternatives to fossil fuels or help eliminate food and water problems. All current technologies are inadequate, and new ones will probably not be commercially possible by 2025