VOA常速英语:World Oceans Day 2017

On June 8th, much of the world observes United Nations World Oceans Day.The idea is to remind people how important the world’s oceans are to all life on Earth,to celebrate their beauty, and to bring attention to the impact human activity has on the oceans.This year, the theme is “Our Oceans, Our Future”, with special emphasis on finding solutions to plastic pollution,and preventing marine litter for a healthier ocean and a better future.
6月8日，世界上大部分地区都在庆祝世界海洋日。联合国设立海洋日的目的是提醒人们世界海洋对地球上所有生命的重要性，并呼吁保护美丽的海洋，控制人类活动对海洋的影响。今年海洋日的主题是“我们的海洋，我们的未来”，特别强调提出解决方案，力阻塑料垃圾污染海洋，以创造更健康的海洋环境和更美好的未来。

The world’s oceans cover nearly three fourths of the Earth’s surface, and contain 97 percent of our planet’s water. They produce over half of our oxygen, help regulate our climate, absorb carbon dioxide, and support the greatest abundance of life on our planet.Nearly half of all species on Earth depend on the oceans for survival, and for many of the rest,including for people, the oceans improve the quality of life.
海洋覆盖了地球表面近四分之三的面积，占水资源总量的百分之九十七。地球上的氧气有一半是由海洋产生的，海洋也有助于调节气候，吸收二氧化碳，保证地球上丰富多样的物种得以生存。地球上将近一半的物种依赖于海洋生存，而对于包括人类在内的许多物种而言，海洋提高了生存质量。

The oceans are also indispensable to the world’s economy, because they are key to transportation and recreation.And in as much as over 95 percent of the underwater realm remains unexplored,it is nearly a certainty that their depths may hold the cure to many a disease, the resolution to many a problem.
海洋也是世界经济不可或缺的一部分，因为它们对运输和娱乐行业至关重要。另外，由于百分之九十五以上的水下区域尚未被开发，深海环境可能会治愈许多疾病，为很多问题提供解决方案。

And yet, as much as 40 per cent of the world’s oceans are heavily affected by human activities that result in pollution, over-fishing, and loss of coastal habitats.Of particular concern is plastic debris. Some of it comes from ships that ply our rivers, lakes and seas, and eventually makes its way into the ocean.But about 8 million metric tons of plastic waste washes off land into the ocean each year.
然而，世界上多达百分之四十的海域由于人类活动遭到严重污染、过度捕捞并导致海岸栖息地丧失。尤其令人担忧的是塑料垃圾碎片。有些塑料垃圾来自于河流、湖泊和海上的船只，并最终进入海洋。然而，每年大约有800万公吨塑料垃圾是由陆地冲刷进入海洋的。

Once there, it begins to break down until it turns into small fragments known as microplastics.Plastics are a serious threat, because they degrade very slowly, entangle sea creatures, damage habitats like coral reefs, and are ingested by marine animals.Researchers have documented impacts of plastic on over 650 different marine species – including sea turtles, seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and fish.
一旦进入海洋，塑料垃圾就开始分解，直到变成被称为“塑料微粒”的小碎片。塑料垃圾会严重威胁环境，因为它们降解速度非常缓慢，会缠住海洋生物、损害珊瑚礁等栖息地，并会被海洋动物摄入。研究人员已经记录了塑料垃圾对超过650种不同海洋物种的影响，包括海龟、海豹、鲸鱼、海豚、鼠海豚、海鸟和鱼类。

On World Oceans Day, we must remember that the health and safety of our oceans is our collective responsibility, one that we cannot afford to neglect.Only through good stewardship can we safeguard the health of our oceans, and ensure that the oceans continue to meet the needs of future generations.
世界海洋日提醒我们必须记住，保护海洋的健康和安全是我们的集体责任，决不能忽视。只有通过科学的管理才能维护海洋的健康，确保海洋继续满足子孙后代的需求。