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  3. Air Pollution and the Importance of Trees Air pollution is not a popular

Air Pollution and the Importance of Trees Air pollution is not a popular

游客2024-01-02  23
问题     Air Pollution and the Importance of Trees
    Air pollution is not a popular subject, which is why little notice has been taken of an EU judgment against the UK on the subject, but it deserves full attention: it shows how much we care about the environment and our health.
    London has the worst air quality of any capital city in Europe and there are 12 other areas of Britain with serious air pollution problems largely caused by vehicles. After smoking it is the biggest threat to health. Despite this, the government plans to delay introducing mandatory cuts to pollutant levels as required by the European Commission, and faces large fines as a result.
    I am fortunate to live in one of the few places in Britain where the air quality is so good rare lichens survive still and the light is crystal clear; whenever I visit London, within minutes my eyes become irritated and my throat sore, and I feel poisoned, which of course I am, and it is extraordinary that millions of people in Britain and most world cities are being damaged to such an extent that their life expectancy is being reduced daily.
    The official concern is of the impact of these pollutants on public health, but my concern extends to include the effect on the birds, insects and mammals which share our cities too. They are so small, and so suffer so much more.
    It seems that, in order to comply with the law, the government is considering introducing a national zone system from which the worst polluting vehicles will be banned. It will help, but could lead to the traffic being diverted to pollute the countryside instead. Why do they not consider banning polluting vehicles altogether? It would be so much easier as well as cleaner—but then business circle would be upset, and that would never do. Would it?
    It is refreshing to hear of a quiet but very significant report by experts which will confirm the importance of trees and forests for the maintenance of essential eco-systems, for flood management, reduction of carbon emissions, wildlife benefits and public enjoyment.
    The findings, to be published today, will assert, I believe, that this free but immensely valuable resource has been ignored and underestimated for too long, and that the number of forested areas in England should be increased by 50 per cent over the next few decades, as well as being held in trust for the people of Britain rather than being sold off for profit as once intended by government. It is good news.
    However, the money issue once again will determine the outcome of the report. It is ironic that just as there is criticism led by politicians and the media about bankers trying to make profit out of market manipulation, those same politicians are driven by an intent to use British resources to maximum financial benefit, whatever they may be, however treasured and iconic. They may pay lip service to respecting our heritage and environment, but given the choice between making money by felling timber in great quantities and investing in caring for and developing our woodlands, profit usually will be the preferred choice of action. It may not be illegal as it is in the case of the bankers’ activities, but for me it is just as unethical as well as being very short-sighted.
    The report on England’s forests deserves full attention but it will be overshadowed by business tycoons’ determination to reap a greater profit. What a contrast of values we have.
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答案     空气污染及树木的重要性
    空气污染不是一个流行的议题。这就是为什么最近欧盟对英国的一项裁定案并未引起人们多少关注。但是这事值得我们关注：事关我们对环境和健康的重视程度。
    欧洲国家首都中，伦敦空气质量最差。由于交通原因，英国还有12个地方的空气污染也非常严重。空气污染已是继吸烟之后人类健康第二大杀手。尽管如此，英国政府还是未能遵循欧盟委员会的强制要求，并且计划延迟引入污染等级强制削减计划，最终面临巨额罚款。
    我很幸运：我住在英国少数几个污染并不严重的地区，这里空气质量尚佳、稀有菌类依旧可见、日间光线通透明亮。每每造访伦敦，双眼数分钟内即感不适、喉咙酸痛，有种被囚禁的感觉，事实上我也的确被囚禁了。英国及世界其他城市中数百万居民受到空气污染的威胁，他们的预期寿命日朘月减。
    政府担忧污染物会对公众健康产生不良影响。但更多的担忧集中在空气污染对和我们居住在一起的鸟类、昆虫和哺乳动物的影响。他们如此赢弱，却比人类承受更多。
    为遵循法律条款，政府似乎正在考虑引进全国区域系统——区域内对环境污染最为严重的机动车辆禁止行驶。这可能起点作用，但也可能导致车流涌向乡村，造成当地空气污染。为什么不考虑全面禁止排污严重的车辆行驶呢?这样就方便又清洁——可能商企界会为此不安，所以这做法永远无法实施。这做法可行吗?
    一则低调发布但却意义重大的专家报告让人为之欣慰。报告确认了植树造林对于维持生态系统、抗洪减排、野生动物保护及大众游憩等方面的重要性。
    我相信今天就要发布的报告结论将佐证人们长久以来忽视或低估了这种免费且价值巨大的资源，并将佐证森林面积应在接下来的数十年中增加百分之五十。为了民众，政府应保护森林，而非像之前的做法——砍伐树木获利。这不啻于一则鼓舞人心的好消息。
    然而，资金问题将再一次决定该报告的最终结果。讽刺的是，正如政客和媒体对银行试图通过市场操控获利的行为大肆批判一样，这些政客本身也想着动用本国资源，使其商业利益最大化——不管这些资源是什么，也不管它们是如何的珍贵或是带有地区标志性。他们可能动动嘴皮子说尊重我们的历史遗产和环境，但是在伐树获利和注资于发展林木之间，利益总是放在优先考虑的位置。银行家的行为或许不犯法，但是就我看来，其行为无德且短视。
    这份英国森林调查报告值得我们注意，但是与商界大佬决意追求利润的背景相形见绌。我们和他们的价值观差异可谓天壤之别!
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