One reaction to all the concern about tropical deforestation(砍伐森林) is a blank stare that asks the question, "Since I don't live there, what does it have to do with me?"
The answer is that your way of life, wherever you live in the world, is tied to the tropics in many ways. If you live in a house, wash your hair, eat fruits and vegetables, drink soda, or drive a car, you can be certain that you are affected by the loss of tropical forests.
Take rubber(橡胶) for example. For many uses, only natural rubber from trees will do. Synthetics are not good enough. Today over half the world's commercial(商业的)rubber is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia, while the Amazon's rubber industry produces much of the world's four million tons. And rubber is an important material in making gloves, balloons, footwear and many sporting goods. Thousands of other tropical plants are valuable for their industrial use.
Many scientists strongly believe that deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect—or heating of the earth from increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As we destroy forests, we lose their ability to change carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Carbon dioxide levels could double within the next half-century, warming the earth by as much as 4.5 degrees. The result? A partial melt-down of polar ice caps, raising sea levels as much as 24 feet; even 15 feet could threaten anyone living within 35 miles of the coast. Unbelievable? Maybe. But scientists warn that by the time we realize the severe effects of tropical deforestation, it will be 20 years too late.
Can tropical deforestation affect our everyday lives? Now, you should have got the answer.
The underlined word "synthetics" probably means a kind of __________.
A.natural rubber | B.tropical grass |
C.man-made material | D.tropical tree |
In the last paragraph the author tries to _________.
A.tell people how to avoid the tropical deforestation |
B.show us how important it is to protect the tropical forests |
C.persuade people to buy something synthetic |
D.let people realize the good effect of tropical deforestation |
The author's attitude towards the tropical deforestation is __________.
A.puzzling | B.cold |
C.supporting | D.opposed |