國發會與ICRT共同製播的時事英語廣播“The World in Brief”固定於每周三在雙語資料庫學習資源網更新，與大家一起聽時事學英文。

本周主題：世界地球日

世界地球日(Earth Day)最初由慈善組織地球日總部(EARTHDAY.ORG)所創造，其成員大多為志願者。在印度、墨西哥、烏干達及馬達加斯加所執行的「植被計畫」(Canopy Project)，是為了將昔日森林重現並同時保護地球。想知道更多嗎？讓我們用３分鐘的時間一起來聽聽記者Max McGrath怎麼說吧！

 

【Transcript】

Nora: The biggest news …the best guests …the boldest events …This is ‘The World in Brief’ with Max McGrath.

Nora: It’s Earth Day this week. As the climate changes, safeguarding our ecosystem is more important than ever. Here with more, roving reporter Max McGrath joins us live from the mountains of Madagascar. Max?

Max: Thanks Nora. Right now I’m in a huge greenhouse, deep in the highlands of Vatovavy, a region on the east coast of Madagascar. I’m joined by Kelsey Tapper, an EARTHDAY.ORG intern. Kelsey, welcome!

Kelsey: Thanks Max!

Max: First of all, what exactly is EARTHDAY.ORG?

Kelsey: A nature charity. They’re the guys who invented this holiday back in 1970. Now they work with over 150,000 partners in over 192 countries. They’re the biggest recruiter of conservationists in the world!

Max: A recruiter? So, they hire people to help protect the planet?

Kelsey: Sure, they employ some people. But mostly they rely on volunteers, or unpaid interns like me. They can’t afford too many salaries. All the money they make goes towards supporting their various projects.

Max: Which is why we’re here, in this greenhouse, right? Filled with tiny trees!

Kelsey: The trees will grow, Max! Right now they’re young, only saplings.

Max: So what’s the plan? Why are you growing all these bad boys?

Kelsey: The idea is to plant all these trees right here in Madagascar. It’s all part of a huge reforestation project …

Max: What project is that?

Kelsey: OK, how to explain … Step outside with me. People have been cutting down trees for a long time, right?

Max: Yes they have.

Kelsey: Well, look here. Now we’re outside, can you see any forest?

Max: Not at all …

Kelsey: There was one here before. Now it’s all gone. You can’t have a forest without trees. When you cut them all down, guess what? The forest disappears.

Max: I see. So reforesting is all about planting trees again, bringing the forest back.

Kelsey: Exactly. It’s all part of a plan the charity’s been running for years, called the Canopy Project.

Max: Canopies are what we call the very tops of trees …

Kelsey: Yes. Looking at a canopy from above is really beautiful. Like a whole ocean of leaves! That’s our mission, to plant enough trees to cover the whole world in canopies again.

Max: It’s not just about the beauty of the trees though is it? We need forests to keep our planet healthy.

Kelsey: Correct. Trees are important for many things. They create oxygen, which we need to breathe. They regulate local temperatures. They help protect against natural disasters. They improve the quality of the soil, and defend against landslides and other kinds of soil erosion. And, of course, they provide animals with shelter and a place to live. They’re vital.

Max: Well, I’m convinced. I’m going to start gardening as soon as I get home!

Kelsey: Good idea! We should all get outside as soon as we can and plant a tree! It’s easy, cheap, and it helps keep the whole world safe.

Max: Kelsey, thanks so much for agreeing to talk to us today. And good luck with the rest of your project! This is Max McGrath reporting live from Vatovavy, Madagascar. Nora?

Nora: Thanks Max! That interview was ‘Tree-mendous’! Have a great Earth Day everyone, I’m Nora Yu.

 

【Vocabulary】

Ecosystem, greenhouse, safeguard 生態系(n.)、溫室(n.)、保護(v.)

The project’s greenhouse supplies the kind of trees that will eventually help to safeguard the local ecosystem.

 

Unpaid 沒有酬勞的(adj.)

The charity relies on unpaid but enthusiastic interns and volunteers to carry out its conservation projects.

 

Saplings 幼苗(n.)

Open circles are for the saplings on the edge of the path, filled circles for those in the understorey.

 

Reforestation 森林復育(n.)

They have planted more than 21,000 trees in reforestation projects.

 

Canopy 樹冠層(n.)

Tree canopies were closed throughout the study period with virtually no undergrowth.

 

Regulate 調節(v.)

The Canopy Project plants saplings that will one day provide beautiful tree canopies to help regulate local temperatures.

 

Erosion 侵蝕作用(n.)

In Madagascar, the erosion is so bad that floods and landslides happen every time there is a major tropical storm.