地球的力量

If the permafrost was to melt,

如果是永久冻土融化

it would significantly increase the amount of methane in the atmosphere.

那将有很大量的温室气体进入大气层

That would be certain to speed up global warming,

这肯定会加速全球变暖

but by how much and with exactly what consequences,

但要了解确切的结果

no one can really say yet.

目前没人能给出答案

It all comes down to the fickle nature of the atmosphere.

这全都取决于变化无常的大气层

A change in one ingredient. Like the LeveL of methane,

一个要素的改变，比如甲烷浓度

can mean a dramatic shift in climate.

会导致气候明显变化

It has taken billions of years to create the atmosphere that we have today,

创造我们今天的大气层花费了数十亿年

and during that time

从那时起

an interdependence between life and the atmosphere has emerged.

生命和大气层建立起了一种互相依赖的关系

We're the first species ever consciously to be changing the atmosphere,

我们是首个有意识改变大气层的物种

knowingly warming it on a grand scale.

刻意使大范围变暖

For Earth, a warmer atmosphere will be nothing new,

对于地球，一个暖些的大气层并无新意

but for us humans, this is uncharted territory.

但是对于我们人类，这是一个未知的领域

Now we're in the vulnerable position of having placed ourselves

我们把自己放在了一个容易受伤害的位置

at the mercy of the most unpredictable of forces, the atmosphere.

在大自然最不可预测的力量--大气层

重点讲解

1、significantly

数量相当大的;显著的

A small but significant number of 11-year-olds are illiterate.

数量不多但仍有相当一部分 11 岁孩子是文盲。

foods that offer a significant amount of protein.

富含蛋白质的食物

重要的;有意义的

Time would appear to be the significant factor in this whole drama.

时间似乎是整部剧中一个举足轻重的因素。

a very significant piece of legislation.

一条非常重要的法规

别有含义的;意味深远的

Mrs Bycraft gave Rose a significant glance.

拜克拉夫特夫人意味深长地瞥了罗丝一眼。

2、consequences

结果;后果；影响

Her lawyer said she understood the consequences of her actions and was prepared to go to jail.

她的律师说她明白自己行为的后果，已有了入狱的心理准备。

An economic crisis may have tremendous consequences for our global security.

一场经济危机可能严重影响到全球安定。

结果;因此

His death was totally unexpected and, in consequence, no plans had been made for his replacement.

他的死完全出乎意料，所以，根本没有安排替补人选。

Maternity services were to be reduced in consequence of falling birth rates.

由于出生率下降，产科服务会随之削减。

重要的;有价值的

As an overseer, he suddenly found himself a person of consequence.

作为工头，他突然觉得自己是个重要人物。

Where he is from is of no consequence to me.

他来自何方对我来说并不重要。

3、unpredictable

无法预言的；不可预测的；难以预料的

He is utterly unpredictable.

他是个高深莫测的人。

Britain's notoriously unpredictable weather.

众所周知，英国的天气一向变幻莫测