One million species face extinction, more than ever before in human history, according to a UN report released in May. And humans should be responsible.
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) based the assessment (评估) on some 15,000 sources considering the causes and results of environmental changes over the past 50 years.
The findings are clear and alarming. The researchers have found that about 25 percent of the world’s plants and animals are at risk of extinction. These include sea and land animals. Even the domesticated (驯养的) animals are at risk: Over 9 percent of the domesticated animal species used for food and agriculture might have been lost.
There are some big problems. This rapid decrease of the natural world endangers global food safety and quality of life. For example, about 4 billion people rely on natural medicines, produced by the disappearing species, for their health care. And losses of species that pollinate (授粉) plants threaten up to $ 577 billion in crops each year.
The researchers identified five drivers responsible for the unpleasant news. They think at the top of the list is the change of land and sea use. The change in ecosystems towards agriculture, aquaculture and other human developments has led to changes in the natural living space of species. It is followed by the direct overuse of creatures (harvesting crops, cutting down the trees, hunting and fishing) and climate change, including rising sea levels and increasing extreme-weather events, wildfires, floods and droughts. The final causes of species extinction are pollution, especially plastics, and the spread of non-native species that can displace or kill native plants and animals.
The researchers say it is time for humans to make a change. They think maybe a new global way to save food and refuse waste in our everyday life could turn the tables. Whether that is possible is an open question.
12. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?
A.To introduce the topic of the text. |
B.To introduce the schedule of the report. |
C.To introduce humans’ sense of responsibility. |
D.To introduce the history of human development. |
13. What does paragraph 3 mainly show?
A.The reliability of the findings. |
B.The species of animals worldwide. |
C.The seriousness of species’ reduction. |
D.The risky experiences of the researchers. |
14. What is the biggest threat to species’ survival according to the researchers?
A.Climate change. |
B.Natural disasters. |
C.Changes of their living space. |
D.The direct overuse of creatures. |
15. What are the researchers in favor of?
A.Ignoring the food problem. |
B.Spreading non-native species. |
C.Limiting native plants and animals. |
D.Changing some habits in our daily life. |