中阶环境|第59集：想要更环保，可以这样做

音频一：

A recent study shows that meat consumption is one of the main ways that human can damage the environment. So how can eating meat have a negative effect on the environment? For a start, all animals, such as cows, pigs and sheep, release a gas named methane. Many environmental experts now believe that methane is more responsible for global warming than carbon dioxide.

音频二：

It is estimated that 25% of all methane that released into the atmosphere comes from farm animals. Another way in which meat production affects the environment is through the use of water and land.

音频三：

Many people now say the benefits of switching to a vegetarian diet which excludes meat and fish, not just for health reasons, but also because it plays a vital role in protecting the environment.

重点词汇：

consumption n. /kən'sʌmpʃən/ 消费

methane n. /'mɛθen/ 甲烷

carbon dioxide 二氧化碳

release vt. /rɪ'lis/ 释放

switch vt. /swɪtʃ/ 切换，转换

vegetarian n. /ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛrɪən/ 素食主义者

跟读训练：

一、

A recent study shows that meat consumption is one of the main ways that human can damage the environment.

一项近期研究显示，肉类消费是人类破坏环境的主要的方式之一。

So how can eating meat have a negative effect on the environment?

所以，吃肉怎么会对环境产生负面影响呢？

For a start, all animals, such as cows, pigs and sheep, release a gas named methane

首先，所有动物，例如牛，猪和羊，会释放一种叫做甲烷的气体。

Many environmental experts now believe that methane is more responsible for global warming than carbon dioxide.

很多环境学家现在相信甲烷是比二氧化碳更大的全球变暖的原因。

二、

It is estimated that 25% of all methane that released into the atmosphere comes from farm animals.

据推断，25%进入到大气层的甲烷都来自于农业动物。

Another way in which meat production affects the environment is through the use of water and land.

另一项肉类生产影响环境的方式是通过水和土地的使用。

三、

Many people now say the benefits of switching to a vegetarian diet

很多人现在都在说切换到素食饮食的好处；

which excludes meat and fish

它（指素食饮食）排除了肉类和鱼类

not just for health reasons, but also because it plays a vital role in protecting the environment.

不仅是因为健康原因，更是因为它（素食饮食）在保护环境方面的核心作用。

背景拓展：

今天信息量不小，可能很多人第一次知道肉类消费meat consumption，会对环境产生负面影响have a negative effect on the environment，原因有两个：甲烷是温室气体的来源中之一methane is more responsible for global warming，以及养殖农业动物还有大量水土消耗use of water and land.

全球变暖和环境污染的困局中，碳排放carbon emission，过度包装 over packaging，塑料袋 plastic bags，一次性餐具disposable tableware，甚至肥胖 obesity，厨余垃圾leftover、kitchen garbage都会成为我们需要关注的问题，改变我们的生活方式，例如垃圾分类garbage classification，使用公共交通工具出行等，都是可以实现节能与减排 energy saving and emission reduction的高效方式。