Climate change leads some plants and animals to
find new homes, while others that are not so lucky
become extinct. Mountains give a good example of
this. A hotter climate means trees and plants can grow
higher up mountains. In the Alps, it’s been observed
that every decade sees plants moving up about four
metres. And how does this influence animal life? Well,
unfortunately, some animals, which have become
highly specialised in order to live on mountain tops,
have no escape if conditions change. They simply
cannot survive in warm weather.
So let’s go over to Dr Bernard in Switzerland who
will fill us in with more details …
Tapescript Presenter: Good afternoon. Today we’re considering how worried we really need to be about climate change. In particular, how worried we should be about plant life and the future of animals on this earth.
Author’s comment
Sarah’s report gives us some reasons to be optimistic
and some reasons to really worry. Sarah.
Sarah: Hello there. Yes, it’s true that climatic change
does affect animal and plant life but not always to
the point of disaster. Many animals and plants are
actually very adaptable – you know, able to change
according to conditions. Of course, historically ice
ages and droughts – a severe lack of water – have
completely destroyed certain types of animal and
plant life, but many managed to survive extreme,
long-term climate change by adapting.
Now, many biologists and ecologists believe the Earth
today may again be in the middle of climate change
because over the last century many studies have
shown rising global temperatures, on average about
half a degree centigrade, and although this may seem
very little, it is actually happening much faster than
before and it can affect life enormously.
User translations (1)
- 1.
Стенограмма (вообще в зависимости от того, где этот текст используется - стенограмма, речь докладчика, ниже прямая речь выступающего и т.п., что больше подходит по стилю): Добрый день. Сегодня мы рассматриваем (рассмотрим) вопрос о том, насколько мы должны быть обеспокоены изменениями климата.
Translator's comment
В частности, насколько мы должны волноваться за растительную жизнь и будущее животных, которые обитают на нашей земле.
translation added by Yuriy Sitnikov0