At the Kyoto conference on global warming in December 1997, it became abundantly clear how complex it has become to work out international agreements relating to the environment because of economic concerns unique to each country. It is no longer enough to try to forbid certain activities or to reduce emissions of certain substances. The global challenges of the interlink between the environment and development increasingly bring us to the core of the economic life of states. During the late 1980s we were able, through international agreements, to make deep cuts in emissions harmful to the ozone layer. These reductions were made possible because substitutions had been found for many of the harmful chemicals and, more important, because the harmful substances could be replaced without negative effects on employment and the economies of states. Although the threat of global warming has been known to the world for decades and all countries and leaders agree that we need to deal with the problem, we also know that the effects of measures, especially harsh measures taken in some countries, would be nullified (抵消) if other countries do not control their emissions. Whereas the UN team on climate change has found that the emissions of carbon dioxide would have to be cut globally by 60% to stabilize the content of CO2 in the atmosphere, this path is not feasible for several reasons. Such deep cuts would cause a breakdown of the world economy. Important and populous (人口众多的) low or medium income countries are not yet willing to undertake legal commitments about their energy uses. In addition, the state of world technology would not yet permit us to make such a big leap. We must, however, find a solution to the threat of global warming early in the 21st century. Such a commitment would require a degree of shared vision and common responsibilities new to humanity. Success lies in the force of imaginations, in imagining what would happen if we fail to act. Although many living in cold regions would welcome the global warming effect of a warmer summer, few would cheer the arrival of the subsequent diseases, especially where there had been none.
单选题
The main purpose of this passage is to ______. A. convince people that global warming is a real threat B. criticize some countries for refusing to cut down emissions harmful to the ozone layer C. analyze the problem of global warming D. argue against making deep cuts in emissions
单选题
The reason why it is difficult to get rid of the threat of global warming is that ______. A. the leaders of many countries are not fully aware of the gravity of the problem B. world technology is not able to solve the problem C. not all the countries are willing to make deep cuts in emissions D. many people welcome the global-warming effect of a warmer summer
单选题
In the passage the author implies that ______. A. it is always difficult to work out international agreements to cut down emissions harmful to the ozone layer B. it is no longer easy to reach international agreements relating to the environment C. the world had recently become aware of the threat of global warming D. the problem of global warming has largely been solved
单选题
According to the author, it is impossible at present to cut 60% of carbon dioxide emissions globally because ______. A. it is only a goal to be reached in the future B. some people are lacking in imagination C. some people are irresponsible D. it would cause to a collapse of the world economy
单选题
What should all countries do to help solve the problem of global warming? A. They should replace all the harmful substances. B. They should willingly undertake legal commitments about their energy uses. C. They should hold another world conference on climate change. D. They should provide advanced technology.