Fortunately，we can take action to slow global warming. Global warming resultsprimarily from human activities that release heat-trapping gases and particles into theair. The most important causes include the burning of fossil fuels such as coal，gas,and oil，and deforestation. To reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases like carbondioxide，methane，and nitrous oxides，we can curb our consumption of fossil fuels,use technologies that reduce the amount of emissions wherever possible，and protectthe world??s forests.
We can also do things to mitigate the impacts of global warming and adapt tothose most likely to occur ，e. g. ，through careful long-term planning and otherstrategies that reduce our vulnerability to global warming.
Be pa r t of the solution
Clearly，global warming is a huge problem. It will take everyone -governments，industry，communities and individuals working together to make a realdifference.
At UCS，we??re working to bring sound scientific information to policymakers andthe public to educate them about global warming，its impacts，and about availablepractical solutions. We??re raising awareness of the need for action and working tocreate Congressional support for sound solutions.
But we don??t stop there. We??re also advocating policies that will combat globalwarming over the long term. Things like clean cars that run on alternative fuels,environmentally responsible renewable energy technologies，and stopping the clearcuttingof valuable forests.
These are solutions that will help to reduce global warming，and you can be partof them.
Notes on language a nd cultur e
1. mainstream: This word is used as an adjective in the sentence，which meansnormal，conventional，and accepted by most people.
2. human-induced global warming: global warming that is caused by human activity
3. in response to: If you do or say something in response to an event，action，orquestion，you do it or say it as a reaction or reply to it.
4. rodent: A rodent is a small mammal which has sharp front teeth. Rats，mice,rabbits，and squirrels are rodents.
5. continue unabated: If something continues unabated，it continues without anyreduction in intensity or amount.
6. deforestation: This term refers to the cutting down of trees in a large area or thedestruction of forests by people.
7. methane: Methane is a colorless gas without a smell which is often used as a fuel.( 甲烷，沼气)
8. nitrous oxide: A chemical combination of oxygen and nitrogen. ( 一氧化二氮)
9. renewable energy: Renewable energy sources，like sun，wind and waves will notrun out.
10. the clear-cutting of valuable forests: cutting the valuable forest completelyC. Post -r eading a ctivityGo over the sentences taken from the text and use the context clues or yourknowledge of word formation to figure out the meaning of the underlined words orexpression.
1. The mainstream scientific consensus on global warming is becoming clearer everyday: changes in our climate are real and they are underway.
A. general opinion B. public interest
C. prevailing custom D. careful consideration
2. The evidence that human-induced global warming is real is increasingly clear andcompelling.
A. unbelievable B. popular
C. interesting D. convincing
3. 1998，with global temperatures spiking due to one of the strongest El Ni nos onrecord，was the hottest year since reliable instrumental temperature measurementsbegan.
A. striking B. soaring
C. concluding D. extending
4. Mountain glaciers the world over are receding.
A. decreasing B. moving
C. occurring D. developing
5. While on average the globe will get warmer and receive more precipitation,individual regions will experience different climatic changes and environ- mentalimpacts.
A. resources B. rainfall C. heat D. gases
6. More heat waves and droughts，resulting in more and more conflicts for waterresources.
A. fights B. potentials C. disturbances D. solutions
7. A greater potential for heat-related illnesses and deaths as well as the wider spreadof infectious diseases carried by insects and rodents into areas previously free fromthem.
A. diseases passed from one living thing to another
B. fatal diseases
C. incurable diseases
D. diseases that are found only in a particular area
8. To reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide，methane，andnitrous oxides，we can curb our consumption of fossil fuels，use technologies thatreduce the amount of emissions wherever possible，and protect the world??sforests.
A. add to B. raise C. limit D. prevent
9. We can also do things to mitigate the impacts of global warming and adapt tothose most likely to occur，e. g. ，through careful long-term planning and otherstrategies that reduce our vulnerability to global warming.
A. strengthen B. remove C. do with D. soften
10. We??re also advocating policies that will combat global warming over the longterm.
A. implementing B. supporting
C. drafting D. eliminating
Answer the following questions.
1. What is generally believed to be responsible for the global warming?
2. Who should be more aware of the problem of global warming and take action toreduce its effect?
3. What is the main idea of the text?
Ⅳ. Fast Read in g
In this part，you are required to read three passages and choose the best answer tothe questions after each passage，using the skill you have just learned.
( 1)
Global warming is a theory that says the earth is getting warmer.
Just as weather changes，so does climate. The temperature of the earth changesover centuries due to changes in the sun??s distance and energy，as well as volcaniceruptions and meteor ( 大气现象) impacts that can cloud the atmosphere and blocksunlight.
Global Warming，or the Greenhouse Effect，says that the atmosphere warmsbecause we put gases and pollution into the air that trap heat. We do know that theaverage temperature of the earth has warmed slightly in the last century but what??s notknown is how much of this is due to human activities.
Most scientists agree that what we put into the atmosphere can trap more heat andthat countries would be wise to reduce emissions of these pollutants and gases. Whatscientists disagree on is what happens after the earth starts warming.
