Lesson 3 At War with the Planet课文解析

1、.,Lesson Three At War with the Planet,.,Disasters in Technosphere,Dust storm, disafforestation, desertification, global warming, acid rain, melting glacier, storm, drought, flood, mudslide, heat waves, red tides, earthquake, tsunami, pollutions (air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, white

2、 pollution, ),.,Severe Enviromental Problems,Mammals are facing extinction Freshwater fish are on the edge of extinction Tree species are facing the danger of extinction Primitive forests are seriously damaged People dont have Safe drinking water,.,Desertification in China,.,Water shortage,.,Air pol

3、lution,.,Air pollution,.,Smog,.,water pollution,.,Red Tides With Fish Killed,.,Tsunami,.,Mudslide,.,Mudslide,.,Melting Glacier,.,Automobile Engine Emission,.,Automobile Engine Emission,.,Acid Rain,.,Drought in North China Cole field(2008),.,Drought in North China (2008),.,Drought leaves ships strand

4、ed in south China,.,Drought continues to play havoc(大破坏，毁坏) in South China,.,white pollution,.,Electronic wastes,.,Dust storm in Beijing,.,Dust storm(April,17, 2006),.,The Author,.,The Author on the Magazine,.,About the Author,美 巴里康芒纳（Barry Commoner） 封闭的循环 （THE CLOSING CIRCLE ） 自然、人和技术 （NATURE,MAN A

5、DN TECHNOLOGY）,.,About the Author,Barry Commoner (born May 28, 1917) is an American biologist, college professor, and eco-socialist. He ran for president of the United States in the 1980 US presidential election on the Citizens Party ticket. Commoner was born in Brooklyn. He received his bachelors d

6、egree in zoology from Columbia University (1937) and his masters and doctoral degrees from Harvard University (1938, 1941). After serving as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during WWII.,.,Commoner moved to St. Louis and became a professor of plant physiology at Washington University , where h

7、e taught for 34 years. In 1966 he founded the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems to study the science of the total environment. During the late 1950s, Commoner became a well-known protester against nuclear testing. He went on to write several books about the negative ecological effects of abo

8、ve-ground nuclear testing. In 1970 he received the International Humanist Award from the,.,International Humanist and Ethical Union His 1971 book, The Closing Circle, suggested a left-wing, eco-socialist response to the limits to growth thesis, postulating that capitalist technologies were chiefly r

9、esponsible for environmental degradation, as opposed to population pressures. In 1980, he founded the Citizens Party to serve as a vehicle for his ecological message, and his candidacy for President on the Citizens Party ticket won 233,052 votes (0.27% of the total).,.,After his unsuccessful bid for

10、 President, Commoner returned to New York City, and moved the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems to Queens College. He stepped down from that post in 2000, and is now a senior scientist at Queens. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of science and has a star on the

11、St. Louis Walk of Fame. Commoner criticized Ronald Reagan and George Bush for regulating pollution and not preventing it.,.,Four Laws of Ecology,One of Commoners lasting legacies is his four laws of ecology, as written in The Closing Circle in 1971. The four laws are: 1. Everything is Connected to E

12、verything Else. There is one ecosphere for all living organisms and what affects one, affects all. 2. Everything Must Go Somewhere. There is no waste in nature and there is no “away” to which things can be thrown.,.,3. Nature Knows Best. Humankind has fashioned technology to improve upon nature, but

13、 such change in a natural system is, says Commoner, “likely to be detrimental to that system.” 4. There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. Everything comes from something. Theres no such thing as spontaneous existence.,.,His Writings,Science and Survival. New York : Viking, 1966. The Closing Circle:

14、Nature, Man, and Technology. New York : Knopf, 1971. The Poverty of Power: Energy and the Economic Crisis. New York : Random House, 1976. The Politics of Energy. New York : Knopf, 1979. Making Peace with the Planet . New York : Pantheon, 1990.,.,EARTHKEEPER HERO: BARRY COMMONER,Barry Commoner is an

15、American environmental scientist. He is also an author and a strong social activist. Commoner was born in 1917. He attended Harvard University and received a doctorate in biology in 1941. In his work as a biologist, Commoner has focused especially on ozone layer depletion(损耗,减少). In the 1950s, Commo

16、ner began to push for atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, thereby bringing himself into public prominence.,.,In the 1960s, he became involved in other environmental issues; these included pollution and energy sources. He gave speeches and wrote numerous books: Science and Survival (1967), The Cl

17、osing Circle (1971), Energy and Human Welfare (1975), The Poverty of Power (1976), The Politics of Energy (1979), and Making Peace with the Planet (1990). Among his views, Commoner believes that industrial methods, especially those involving fossil fuels, are causing environmental pollution. He feel

18、s strongly that the quest for maximum profit,.,currently takes priority over environmental reasoning. Commoner also believes that it is pointless to try to undo the environmental damage we have caused; this is a losing battle. We should instead focus on preventing future destruction; for the most pa

19、rt, the solution to environmental problems lies in not destroying the environment in the first place. Commoners solutions for many problems are considered radical. He is a strong advocate of renewable energy sources, specifically solar energy, which would decentralize(分散) electric,.,utilities and us

20、e sunlight as an alternative power source for most energy consumers. To make the transition from one to the other, Commoner suggests that we use moderates such as methane(沼气) and make the switch a little at a time. Commoner also has strong views on social causes of the present environmental situatio

21、n. He argues, for example, that eliminating Third World debt payments would lessen the economic gap between developed and less developed countries and end the desperation that usually results in,.,desperation that usually results in overpopulation. This debt forgiveness could also compensate for pre

22、vious decades of damage inflicted on such countries. Commoner also calls for redistribution of the worlds wealth. Commoner combined his socialist and environmental beliefs in a brief Citizens Party presidential campaign in 1980. For the past nearly twenty years, he has directed the Center for the Bi

23、ology of Natural Systems at Queens College in New York City.,.,Barry Commoner was a hero in many eyes. He was an environmentalist who alerted the world about some of earths problems. He was also called an Environmental Activist. Barry Commoner was born in 1917, in Brooklyn, NY were he was interested

24、 science and plants. Later he went to Columbia College, where he studied ecology, then went to Harvard for graduate school. Now he is 88 years old and still considered the “Paul Revere of Ecology.”,.,Barry Commoner did many things in his life for one he realized the problems caused by nuclear activi

25、ties and its influences on the environment and humans. He found that radio activity “builds up” in people until they get sick and usually die. His helpful research was rewarded by the nuclear test-band treaty. Barry Commoner wrote many books about the environment his latest called “Making Peace with

26、 the Planet” is about the problems caused by people and how to help the earth. Many years after Mr. Commoner did all of his,.,research on the planet he realized something horrible, unless people did not help make the world a better place it would be unsuitable for human life in several years. His st

27、atement changed peoples ways and many people took action that is why we are still all alive. Although not all of our problems have been solved yet we need to keep working to stay alive on our home planet.,.,Knowledge about Ozone layer,The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultraviolet rays sent

28、 down by the sun. If the ozone layer is depleted by human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic. Ozone is present in the stratosphere (平流层,同温层). The stratosphere reaches 30 miles above the Earth, and at the very top it contains ozone. The suns rays are absorbed by the ozone in the

29、stratosphere and thus do not reach the Earth.,.,Ozone is a bluish gas that is formed by three atoms of oxygen. The form of oxygen that humans breathe in consists of two oxygen atoms, O2. When found on the surface of the planet, ozone is considered a dangerous pollutant and is one substance responsib

30、le for producing the greenhouse effect. The highest regions of the stratosphere contain about 90% of all ozone. In recent years, the ozone layer has been the subject of much discussion. And rightly so, because the ozone layer protects both plant and animal life on the planet.,.,The fact that the ozo

31、ne layer was being depleted was discovered in the mid-1980s. The main cause of this is the release of CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons.(氟氯化碳) Antarctica was an early victim of ozone destruction. A massive hole in the ozone layer right above Antarctica now threatens not only that continent, but many others

32、that could be the victims of Antarcticas melting icecaps. In the future, the ozone problem will have to be solved so that the protective layer can be conserved.,.,How the worlds climate may change in the future,Climate change is one of the most serious environmental threats facing the world today. I

33、ts impacts will be felt across the world, as sea level rise threatens the existence of some small island states and puts millions of people at risk. Temperature increases, drought and flooding will affect peoples health and way of life, and cause the irreversible loss of many species of plants and a

34、nimals.,.,Average global surface temperatures have increased by 0.6C over the 20th century (see figure, below). The ten hottest years on record have all occurred since the beginning of the 1990s. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the strong warming of the last 50 year

35、s cannot be explained by natural climate variations alone, but requires the inclusion of the effects of human emissions. Much of the observed rise in sea-level (10 - 20 cm) during the 20th century may be related to this increase in global mean,.,temperatures. Current climate models predict that glob

36、al temperatures will rise by a further 1.4 to 5.8C by the end of the 21st century. Global mean sea levels (平均海平面 )are also predicted to rise by 9 to 88 cm by 2100.,.,Maldives held seabed meeting 18-10-2009,The president of the Maldives and his ministers have held the worlds first underwater cabinet

37、meeting, in a symbolic cry for help over rising sea levels that threaten the existence of the low-lying tropical archipelago(群岛,列岛). Aiming for another attention-grabbing event to bring the risks of climate change into relief before a landmark UN climate change meeting in December, President Mohamed

38、 Nasheeds cabinet headed to the,.,bottom of a Indian Ocean lagoon. Clad in black diving suits and masks, the president, 11 ministers, the vice-president and cabinet secretary dived 3.8 metres to gather at tables anchored to the seabed.,.,.,Nepal held highest Cabinet meeting at Mt. Everest (04-12-200

39、9 ),Nepals top politicians strapped on oxygen tanks and held a Cabinet meeting amid Mount Everests frigid, thin air to highlight the danger global warming poses to glaciers. The meeting was held at a flat area at an altitude of 17,192 feet (5,250 meters),.,.,General Structure:,Part I (Para.1) This i

40、s the introductory part in which the author raises the theme that people live in two worlds. Like in lesson one, the author comes to the point right way. Part II (Paras.2-5) In this part, the author explains why the two worlds are at war.,.,General Structure:,Part III (Paras.6-9) The first law of th

41、e ecosphere and the law governing the relationship between man-made objects and the surroundings Part IV (Paras.10-11) the closed cyclical process of ecosphere and the linear process of technosphere,.,General Structure:,Part V (Paras.12-14) the consistent and harmonious nature of the ecosphere as co

42、ntrasted to the rapid change and variation of the technosphere Part VI. (Paras.15-16) comparison between the consequences of failure or the ecosphere and that of the technosphere,.,General Structure:,Part VII (Paras.17-21) the danger of taking side in the war of the two worlds Part VIII. (Paras.22-2

43、3) Conclusion: the author once again stresses the importance of understanding the interplay of the two worlds and on the basis of this understanding, making it our task to find ways to make peace with the planet.,.,Detailed study of the text,1. What is the function of the first paragraph? It serves

44、as an introduction. In this part, the author raises the theme that people live in two worlds. 2. This first sentence has already kept us in suspense. Why do people live in two worlds, what kind of worlds are they, this world and the next? Could we live here and there at the same time?,.,3. According

45、 to the author, what are the two worlds that people live in? The two worlds refer to the natural world and the world of human creation, that is, man-made world.,.,Para.1,4. What are the differences between these two worlds? How do people think of these two worlds? The natural world is beyond human c

46、ontrol. Generally we think that we are responsible for events of our own world, but not for what occurs in the natural world. exempt from: free from an obligation, duty or payment e. g. goods exempt from tax The handicapped are exempt from military service.,.,Para.2 / Part II (Paras.2-5),1. Now, on

47、a planetary scale, this division has been breached breach: break, to make a gap in a walls or barrier, etc. This is a transitional sentence, linking up the following part with the first paragraph. It also leads to further explanation of the interaction between the two worlds.,.,Globally, the divisio

48、n between the two worlds has been broken. They are no longer separated. The implied meaning is what humans do in the technosphere will have effect on the ecosphere.,.,Para.2,Hole in the Earths protective ozone layer 臭氧层具有保护地球表面遭受来自太阳的强烈紫外线的照射，这些紫外线能够导致皮肤癌的产生。由此看来，臭氧层其实就是地球的保护伞，现在由于损害臭氧层的化学气体的排放，臭氧层已

49、经变得越来越薄，好象伞上破了一个洞，而且洞在日益地增大， 这对伞下自然会有影响。许多人都在担心皮肤癌的发病率会大大增加.,.,2. even droughts, floods, and heat waves may become unwitting acts of man. Both the hole in ozone layer and global warming are consequences of human deeds. They in turn will cause other natural disasters like droughts, floods and heat wa

50、ves. In this sense, what people do in the technosphere may unintentionally have adverse effects on the ecosphere. Do you think it a correct statement? If yes, could you give an example of this kind?,.,For example, in order to reclaim(开垦) land, or to gather firewood, people would cut down trees and b

51、ushes, thus causing deforestation. Without the protection of forests, there will be floods, droughts and landslides. In history, our loess plateau(黄土高原) was once covered with thick forest and the soil was fertile. With forest gone, it has turned into a barren land.,.,Cut down forest,.,Para.3,1. Like

52、 the Creation, the portending global events are cosmic to portend: to be an omen or warning of portending: ominous, threatening global events: refer to events such as the hole in the ozone layer and global warming comic: not just a problem of a region Explanation: Like the creation of the universe,

53、events that happen on the earth may have vast effects, especially on the relationship between the planet earth and the sun.,.,Para.3,2. The suns powerful influence on the earth is exerted by two forces: gravity and solar radiation. exert: to use or apply a quality, skill, pressure, etc (施加) e.g: She

54、 exerted a lot of pressure on her children to succeed. The sun exerts its powerful influence on the earth through two forces.,.,-the North Pole,-the North Frigid Zone,-the North Temperate Zone,-the Equator,-the South Temperate Zone,-the South Frigid Zone,-the South Pole,-the Tropical Zone,.,Para.3,3

55、. Solar radiation-largely visible and ultraviolet light-is a vast stream of energy that bathes the Earths surface ultraviolet light : of light that is beyond the purple end of the range of colors(spectrum) that make up light that can be seen by human being. 太阳能主要是可见光和紫外线-是沐浴大地表层的源源不断、用之不竭的能量。,.,4.So

56、lar energy fuels the energy-requiring process of life; it creates the planets climate and governs the gradual evolution and the current behavior of its huge and varied population of living things. 1)solar energy fuels the energy-requiring processes of life to fuel: to provide fuel, to give power to

57、The photosynthesis of plants is a case in point. 2) The current behavior of many animals and plants is the result of climate change over millions of years.,.,5. We have been tampering with this powerful force, unaware, like the Sorcerers apprentice, of the potentially disastrous consequences of our

58、action. 1) tamper with sth: to interfere with or alter sth without authority 2) sorcerers apprentice: in folklore, the sorcerers apprentice accidentally flooded the sorcerers house because he learned to make a broom fetch water but not how to make it stop. Its an interesting folklore.,.,3) Why does

59、the author say that we have been behaving like the Sorcerers Apprentice? Because we have been doing things without knowing that they may have serious effects on the planet Earth 4) 我们一直在滥用这股强大的力量，就像传说中魔术师的徒弟一样我们并没有意识到我们的这种行为很可能会导致灾难性的后果。,.,Para.4,1. We have become accustomed to the now mundane image of the Earth as seen from .is misleading. 1) mu