原文视听

With its profound effect on Asia's weather and water systems,
由于对亚洲气候和水资源体系的深远影响
the Tibetan plateau helps to sustain almost half the world's population.
青藏高原养活了差不多一半的世界人口
For the moment,at least.
至少在现在就是这样
Close to the summit of Mount Everest,
在接近珠穆朗玛峰峰顶的地方
a forest of ice once covered much of the area.
冰层曾经覆盖过大部分的地域
But now,thanks to climate change,
但是现在由于气候的变化
much of it has gone.
大部分冰层消失了
Within the next 30 years
在接下来的30年里
it's predicted that 80% of the Tibetan glaciers could disappear.
预计西藏80%的冰川将会消失
In many ways,
从许多方面来说
Tibet's fragile environment is the barometer of our world.
西藏脆弱的环境是世界生态的晴雨表
What happens to it today,
它今天发生了什么，
in time,will affect us all.
迟早会影响到所有人

重点解释

妙语佳句:

原句：For the moment,at least.

For the moment:暂时, 目前

For the moment we cannot supply your requirement from stock.

目前我们没有现货供应你方的需求。

at least:至少

He should at least have come to say good-by.

他至少也该来道个别(然而却没来)。

原句：Close to the summit of Mount Everest,a forest of ice once covered much of the area.

close to:接近于

The hounds are getting close to their quarry.

猎狗正在接近猎物。

原句：What happens to it today,in time,will affect us all.

in time:及时

I'd hope that he'll arrive in time.

我希望他可以准时到达。

原句：Within the next 30 years,it's predicted that 80% of the Tibetan glaciers could disappear.

predict:意为“预言”，“预告”，指将来有可能发生但是现在尚未发生的事情，因此谓语时态要迟一步于主语时态。

错句: Biologists are predicting that they have been able to alter genes and control heredity.

纠正: Biologist are predicting that they will be able to alter genes and control heredity.

翻译: 生物学家预言他们有能力改变基因，控制遗传特征。

分析: 宾语从句中谓语动词时态要迟一步于主语的时态。

上期答案:

Kailash is so sacred that it has never been climbed.

For Tibetans,pilgrimage is a journey from ignorance to enlightenment.