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It's no secret that the world is getting warmer.
全球暖化已經不是一個秘密
And the low-lying islands of the South Pacific are on the front line,
而當全球暖化導致海平面上升時
as global warming causes sea levels to rise.
地勢低的南太平洋島嶼首當其沖
On the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu,
在太平洋島國圖瓦盧
nowhere is higher than five metres above sea level.
沒有一個地方高出海平面五米
Tuvalu's nine atolls and islands are home to 12,000 people.
圖瓦盧的九個環礁和島嶼是12,000人的家園
Their contribution to global warming is tiny, but its impact on them is massive.
他們對全球暖化影響極小 但全球暖化對他們影響極大
Sea walls are the nation's only defence,
防波堤是這個國家的唯一防線
but building higher walls is likely to prove futile.
但建筑更高的防波堤也可能是徒勞的
During big spring tides, seawater simply bubbles up through the ground.
在大潮期間 海水直接透過地面冒上來
In 2006, the islanders experienced their highest tides ever.
2006年 島民經歷了最高的大潮
These islands could soon become uninhabitable.
這些島很快會變成無法居住
The seawater is poisoning the soil and groundwater.
海水正在破壞土壤和地下水
Eventually, the islands may have to be evacuated.
最后 人們可能被迫從這些島上撤走
This would be an unprecedented move—an entire nation relocated.
這會是一次史無前例的遷移——整個國家被重新安置
So the ocean is threatening its islands, thanks to global warming.
因此拜全球暖化所賜 大海正在威脅著它的島嶼
And yet, the Pacific is playing a massive part in slowing down climate change.
即便如此 太平洋仍在減緩氣候改變上扮演著重要角色
