評論
打印
This daring attempt by the Russians to claim
2007年 俄羅斯大膽地聲稱
the disputed seabed at the North Pole in 2007
北極受爭議的海床是自己的領土
caused fury among the competing countries
引發了幾個競爭國的強烈反對
and it's unlikely to be the last such dispute.
而這樣的爭端將會源源不斷
The Arctic has never been so important
北極從來沒有這么重要過
and not just because of its resources.
而這并不僅僅因為它資源豐富
The North-West passage,
西北水道
a legendary sea route
是加拿大北部和阿拉斯加周圍的
around the north of Canada and Alaska,
一條傳奇海路航線
cleared of ice in the summer of 2007
2007年夏天
for the first time since records began.
自有記錄以來 冰雪首次消融
This promises a much faster and cheaper shipping route
從此 往來大西洋和太平洋的航線
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
變得既快捷又便宜
And some wildlife could benefit from an ice-free Arctic too.
無冰的北冰洋同時也惠及了一些野生動物
Bowhead whales are one of just
北極露脊鯨是少數
a few whales that can live year-round in the Arctic
一整年待在北極的一種鯨魚
because they have no dorsal fin.
因為它們沒有背鰭
This means they can come up for air in small spaces
因此它們能在狹小的空間里浮起來呼吸
and travel easily under the ice.
并能在冰下自如游弋
Their unique body shape used to mean that the Arctic whales had
獨特的身形曾讓它們
the seas to themselves for most of the year.
幾乎整年都獨占這片海域
But now, some cousins from down south are moving in.
但現在 南方的"親戚"也來搬來這里
