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No.320 SIM音読用英文

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Maldives Waits for World to Decide on Its Future
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The people of Maldives say

the sea brings life to their country,

but scientists say

it could, one day, take it away.


The nation, which is made up

of more than a thousand small islands

in the Indian Ocean,

is the lowest lying in the world,

with an average ground level of just 1.5 meters above water.


If current global warming trends continue,

experts predict the country could be completely submerged

by rising sea levels

in about a century's time.


Maldives leaders hope

the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will help

reverse the trend.


Thousands of delegates

from nearly 200 countries

will take part in the event

that begins Monday.


Their aim is to construct an agreement

for controlling greenhouse gas emissions

that lead to rising temperatures.


Maldives Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan says

participants will be in a position

to save his country.
          

A major point of contention

in reaching an accord

is deciding on how to balance the responsibilities

of developed and developing countries.


For years, industrialized nations have enjoyed modern comforts

while polluting the atmosphere,

and it has been agreed

that they should be held more accountable

for reducing the world's CO2 levels.


Meanwhile, the two largest countries, China and India,

are becoming more developed

and Beijing argues

its emissions requirements should be more lax

as it tries to catch up with the West.


But others disagree.


They say if China and India are allowed

to have reduced regulations,

global climate change would accelerate

at a significantly quicker pace.


As the debate continues,

Maldives waits on the sidelines.


Vice President Waheed says

the nation has looked into buying land

in other countries

in case its citizens are eventually forced to move abroad,

but he says the world must take action

before that happens.


Tuesday, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research announced

melting ice on the continent

could add to rising global sea levels.


It's believed waters could climb

by 1.4 meters by 2100

unless measures to reduce pollution are taken.


In an effort to make sure

the prediction doesn't turn into a reality,

Maldives has pledged

to become the world's first carbon-neutral nation.


President Mohamed Nasheed is to reinforce that promise

when he leads the country's delegation in Copenhagen.


Phillip Walter Wellman for VOA News, Malé
by danueno | 2009-12-09 15:12 | SIM音読用英文


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