VOA慢速英语:Study: Earth’s Aquifers Being Emptied

短语讲解：

1.Irrigated agriculture is responsible for about 80 percent or more of freshwater use worldwide.

be responsible for 为…负责，形成
例句：I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.
我有时觉得背负这笔抵押贷款很有压力。

2.A growing part of that comes from underground aquifers because of dry weather or farmers growing crops in areas with little rainfall.

because of 因为，由于
例句：It is mainly because of my fault.
这主要是由于我的过错。

3.And even if it does receive attention, scientists warn, there is not much that can be done to repair them.

even if 哪怕; 虽然; 即使
例句：Even if you are right, that's not the way to put it.
就算你对了，也不该那么说呀！

4. The study found that 11 percent of what is called “disappearing groundwater” from aquifers is used to grow internationally-traded food.

be used to 习惯于，适用于
例句：This piece of cloth can be used to make a pair of pillow cases.
这块布可以做一对枕套。

5.To make true progress on this front, we have to have this discussion of how will we adjust our farms, our farming activities, to deal with a future where we’re going to face a situation where groundwater will no longer be present in these locations.

no longer 不再，已不
例句：After about three months, I was no longer addicted to nicotine.
大约3个月后，我就不再对尼古丁上瘾了。

6.So, at the very least, we need to have discussions to come up with new ways, new strategies that recognize this problem and try and coordinate how we might adjust our policies.

come up with 想出; 提出; 追赶上; 设法拿出
例句：Several of the members have come up with suggestions of their own
有几位成员提出了自己的建议。