Degradation of the world’s natural resources by humans is rapidly outpacing the planet's ability to absorb the damage,a recent UN environmental study has found. The study concludes that without radical action the level of prosperity that millions of people in the developed world count on will be impossible to maintain or extend to poorer countries.
Water scarcity is the curse of some of the poorest regions on Earth,leaving developing countries increasingly unable to feed themselves,and causing hardship for millions of people. There appears little prospect of this desperate situation being remedied without radical action being taken. Water resources are under increasing threat from population growth,climate change,rapid urbanization,rising levels of consumption,and the degradation of lands that previously provided a natural replenishment (补充) of water resources.
The rate of damage to the natural environment was found to increase globally,despite concerted efforts to persuade governments to take measures to improve the condition. “If current trends continue, and the world fails to improve patterns of production and consumption, then the state of the world's environment will continue to decline,”warned UN executive director Achim Steiner.
He said the tools for improving the environment for millions of people existed in developed countries, but were in danger of not being used.
The study found that basic measures to tackle some of the key causes of environmental damage were still not being taken. These included measures to reduce air pollution,to control the damage to marine eco-systems,which can have a huge effect on fish stocks on which hundreds of millions of people depend; and to curb the degradation of land where modern agricultural methods were pursued without regard to the longer-term consequences.
Despite the recent global agreement on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, global carbon output continues to rise. This will put a long-term strain on the ability of developing economics to feed their own people. Climate change is aggravated by the emissions of greenhouse gases from chemical and natural fertilisers used in agriculture which increased by more than a quarter between 2000 and 2010 .Other problem areas identified in the report included glaciers, which provide vital water resources for millions of people,but which are shrinking as the climate warms.
In rich countries, these problems have built up over decades and centuries while economic growth was pursued at the expense of the environment.Subsequent efforts to remedy the environment have met with partial success. But in developing countries, the path of future development has more potential to change, which has encouraged international institutions to devise more sustainable growth pathways that are supposed both to alleviate poverty and preserve the environment.
1.1. What is the major finding of the UN environmental study?
A Human activity has rendered Mother Earth almost uninhabitable.
B Humans are doing more damage to the earth than it can cope with.
C Environmental problems have considerably weakened human prosperity.
D Environmental damage is more serious in developed countries these days.
解析：选B。B 细节理解题。由题干中的UN environmental study定位到第一段。文章首段第一句指出,最近一项联合国环境研究发现,人类对世界自然资源的破坏正快速超过地球承受伤害的能力。由此可知,人类对地球造成的破坏已经超出了地球所能承受的范围。故选B。
2.2.What is said about water scarcity in some of the poorest regions?
A It is getting so serious that there is little hope of solution.
B It largely accounts for their slow economic development.
C It can hardly be relieved if no drastic measures are taken.
D It is primarily caused by the acceleration of climate change.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。由题干中的water scarcity和the poorest regions定位到第二段。文章第二段第二句指出,如 果不采取激进的行动,这种令人绝望的情况几乎无法得到改善。由此可知,如果不采取严厉措施，很难缓解缺水问题。故选C。
3.3.What does Achim Steiner say about the environmental condition?
A It will deteriorate worldwide.
B It is attracting global attention.
C It is being slowly remedied globally.
D It will shrink the world's population.
解析：选A。A 推理判断题。由题干中的Achim Steiner和environmental condition定位到第三段。文章第三段第二句指出,联合国执行主任阿希姆·施泰纳警告道:“如果目前的趋势继续持续下去,并且全世界的生产方式和消费模式也不改进的话,那么全世界的环境将会继续恶化。”由此可知,阿希姆·施泰纳认为全球环境会继续恶化。故选A。
4.4. What is the dilemma developing countries face?
A They cannot modernise farming without causing land degradation.
B They cannot promote industrialisation without polluting waterways.
C They cannot boost crop yields without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
D They cannot catch up with rich countries without sacrificing the environment.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。由题干中的dilemma和 developing countries定位到第六段。文章第六段第一至三句指出，全球碳排放量一直居高不下,这对发展中经济体养活本国人民将会造成长期的压力。在2000年至2010年期间,农业生产中化学肥料和天然肥料的使用量增加了四分之一以上,其所产生的温室气体排放加剧了气候变化。由此可知,发展中国家要想提高作物产量,需要借助现代化农业手段,这一定会造成温室气体排放。故选C。
5.5.What should developing countries do in their future development according to the passage?
A They turn to developed countries for the assistance they need.
B They remedy environmental damage by slowing economic growth.
C They avoid damaging interference from international institutions.
D They improve people's livelihood without harming the environment.
解析：选D。D 推理判断题。由题干中的developing countries 和 future development定位到最后一段。
文章最后一段最后一句指出,在发展中国家,未来的发展道路充满了变数，这鼓励了国际机构设计更多的可持续增长途径，既能减少贫困,又能保护环境。由此可知,发展中国家要走可持续经济增长道路,在保护环境的前提下,发展经济,改善人们的生活。故选D。
