Our world is rapidly changing. Technology and economic
development are perhaps the two most visible factors causing
this . In Chongqing we drive across the new bridges linking
formerly distant locations. We use electronic gadgets that
allow us to perform tasks quicker and more efficiently than
ever before. Who would have imagined communicating via
a blog just a few years ago? However, the impact of technology
and development on our lives is increasingly being overshadowed
by something that is in some ways harder to pin down but
whose enormous impact is undeniable – climate change.
當今世界日新月異,這一切恐怕要歸功于兩大因素：科技進步和經(jīng)濟發(fā)展.在兩江環(huán)抱的重慶,一座座大橋飛架南北,那些曾經(jīng)為滔滔巨浪相隔的飛地,如今近在咫尺.而電子設(shè)備又更如虎添翼,使我們達到了前所未有的速度和效率.僅僅數(shù)年以前,誰能想象區(qū)區(qū)博客就可以實現(xiàn)溝通交流?但是,科技進步和經(jīng)濟發(fā)展對生活的作用,正因某些雖無法準確結(jié)論但其巨大影響卻不容置疑的現(xiàn)象而不再那么理直氣壯,這便是氣候變化.
Climate change is truly a global issue that impacts on all
individuals regardless of nationality, gender or wealth. It is
shaping our world in ways we sometimes struggle to understand.
In terms of our daily lives, it can seem hard to identify what
changes result from climate change and as a result it is
sometimes ignored. However, in terms of our planet’s “l(fā)ife
cycle” it is happening extremely quickly. Arctic ice and
glaciers are melting, desertification is speeding up and
major floods are increasingly impacting on people in low-lying
areas.
氣候變化是一個真正的全球性問題,對每個人,不論他來自哪個國家,是男還是女,是貧還是富,都有著巨大的影響.氣候變化正以某些我們很難理解的方式改變著世界.人們在日常生活中很難發(fā)現(xiàn)氣候變化的足跡,因而人們又會忽略變化的痕跡.但是,對于我們星球的“生命”來說,變化卻似白駒過隙.北極冰和冰川正在融化,沙漠化越來越快,巨大洪災正日益影響著低洼地區(qū)的人們.
Climate change is already impacting on our planet and
will increasingly affect our behaviour. Around the world
people are beginning to look to make “greener” choices
in their everyday lives. They are attempting to reduce
their “carbon footprint” by travelling in more sustainable
ways [given China’s size, increasing middle class and
rising wealth, is this the right argument?], reducing the
amount of food waste they produce and purchasing more
energy-efficient goods and services. Even our languages
are being shaped by climate change! Who had even
heard of a “carbon footprint” until relatively recently?
氣候變化已經(jīng)在影響著我們的星球,并且將會逐漸影響我們的行為.全球人民都開始追求更加“綠色”的生活.他們嘗試以更加可持續(xù)的方式出行,以減少“碳足跡”[考慮到中國的巨大規(guī)模和越來越多的中產(chǎn)階層人群和財富,這是不是也一樣呢?]；減少食物浪費,購買更加節(jié)能的商品和服務.氣候變化甚至在形成我們的語言!誰不是在最近才聽說到“碳足跡”這幾個字呢?
Given the importance of climate change, I am delighted
to be launching this blog. It reflects the importance that
Chongqing attaches to this issue. It also reflects the
importance attached to climate change by the UK
Government and the British Consulate General. Our two
Governments are engaged in wide-ranging activities
in Chongqing and SW China to address the challenges
posed by climate change – too many to list on this
blog! Major activities have included seminars on
changing policies to reduce carbon emissions; examining
“green” building techniques; and visits to the UK
by officials from SW China to examine solar power
technology. Chongqing’s “Car Free Day” at the same
time as over 100 other Chinese cities was an
excellent example of an activity that promoted a
low carbon lifestyle.
氣候變化情系萬家,我臨危受命開博客.這反映了重慶對這一問題的高度重視,也反映了英國政府和英國駐重慶總領(lǐng)事館對氣候變化的高度重視.中英兩國政府在重慶和中國西南地區(qū)開展了一系列活動,以解決氣候變化帶來的挑戰(zhàn)：包括為了降低碳排放的政策變化研討會,考察“綠色”建筑技術(shù),以及中國西南地區(qū)官員訪問英國考察太陽能技術(shù)等等——活動太多請恕我無法一一羅列!重慶與中國其他100多個城市共同推行的“無車日”活動就是倡導低碳生活的最好例子.
The UK is keen to continue this work and develop
even closer links with Chongqing. There is much we can
learn from each other. The lessons we both learn in
dealing with our local problems undoubtedly contribute
to body of knowledge on how to tackle this global
challenge. I very much hope this blog will play its part
in raising awareness and generating debate. I hope it
will spark creative ideas and will act as a catalyst for
change. To bring about this change we need to make
personal choices, and in writing this blog today I have
made a new choice. I have decided to ensure that I
will increasingly walk to my appointments in the Jiefang
Bei district in order to reduce my carbon footprint. On
my own my efforts will make only a small difference,
but by acting together we really can make a change.
What can you do differently?
英國非常愿意繼續(xù)這方面的工作并與重慶建立更加緊密的聯(lián)系.雙方之間都有很多可以相互學習借鑒的地方.在如何處理這個全球挑戰(zhàn)上,英國自己的一些經(jīng)驗教訓無疑為我們年積累了寶貴的知識.我很希望這個博客能夠幫助啟發(fā)人們對這一問題的關(guān)注和討論.希望它點燃創(chuàng)意的種子,成為變革的催化劑.變革需要從我做起,今天我寫這篇博客時,就已經(jīng)作了一個新的選擇.我已經(jīng)決定,為了減少我的碳足跡,我將盡量步行去解放碑上班.一個人的努力只是滄海一粟,但是大家的貢獻將使滄海變桑田.您說呢?