1 . Six years ago, as the Paris Accord was agreed at the 21st UN climate conference, the French hosts wisely insisted on an item urging countries to match promises with deeds.
Having committed to try to hold global temperature rises “well below” 2℃ compared to preindustrial times, governments were commanded to produce updated plans in 2020, showing how they would actually achieve that goal.
This year’s extreme weather events—the terrible heatwaves, wildfires and floods that have made headlines across the globe—are evidence that the destructive consequences of global heating are happening faster than expected and on a larger scale. The world today is 1.1-1.2℃ hotter than in the preindustrial era. Heating beyond 1.5℃ would deliver even more devastating droughts and crop failures. It would increase the chances of greater famine and ecosystem collapse.
The European Union has suggested new law on industrial emissions, transport and carbon-intensive imports, designed to cut emissions to 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. These moves reflect a delayed sense of urgency; but time is running out in the race to close the gap between the total emissions cuts proposed by countries and the level actually required.
Cop26 is unlikely to produce the drama of a Paris-style breakthrough; but it must pave the way for concerted global action to speed up emissions cuts. Concrete measures are required in areas such as consuming less coal, reducing methane gas emissions preserving forests and lands, and financing climate improvement in developing nations.
What is done and left undone this decade will determine the fate of future generations. As a UN pre-summit spokesman put it last week, “Eight years to make the plans, put in place the policies, carry out them and ultimately deliver the cuts. The clock is ticking loudly.”
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?
| A．To make a comparison. | B．To lead in the topic. |
| C．To introduce the Paris Accord. | D．To present an idea. |
2. What is the major cause of extreme weather events?
| A．Industry development. | B．Crop failures. |
| C．Global warming. | D．Ecosystem destruction. |
3. How is the task of emissions cuts according to the spokesman?
| A．Impossible. | B．Urgent. | C．Vital. | D．Hopeful. |
4. What’s the best title of this passage?
| A．High time to cut emissions now | B．The 26th UN climate conference |
| C．Measures to reduce emissions | D．Global action to save the world |
