listen_this_way_3__听力材料原文.doc

Unit 1 IB. 1.The Amazon forests are disappearing because of increased burning and tree removal. In September, satellite pictures showed more than 20000 fires burning in the Amazon. Experts say most of these fires were set by farmers. The farmers were attempting to clear land to grow crops. The World Wildlife Fund says another serious problem is that too many trees in the Amazon rain forest are being cut down. The World Wildlife Fund says the fires show the need for urgent international action to protect the worlds rain forests. The group warns that without such action some forests could be lost forever. 2. Environmental issues swell to the full in Berlin this week, for the UN spongsored conference on global warming and climate change is the first such meeting since the Rio summit three years ago. With scientists and governments now generally ready to accept that the earth climate is being affected by emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, over a hundred countries are sending delegations. But how much progress has been made implementing the greenhouse gas reduction target agreed on at Rio? Simon Dary reports... Part II The Earth at risk (I) I (Interviewer): Brian Cowles is the producer of a new series of documentaries called The Earth at Risk which can be seen on Channel 4 later this month. Each program deals with a different continent, doesnt it, Brian? B (Brian Cowles): Thats right. We went to America, both North and South and then we went over to Africa and South-East Asia. I: And what did you find in each of these continents? B: Starting with Africa, our film shows the impact of the population on the environment. Generally speaking, this has caused the Sahara Desert to expand. Its a bit of a vicious circle we find. People cut down trees for firewood and their domestic animals eat all the available plants — and so consequently they have to move south as the Sahara Desert expands further south. I mean, soon the whole of Mali will b