In addition to its reputation for tourism, the Maldives holds the unusual distinction of being the lowest-lying country in the world. Many of the islands are only 1.5 meters above sea level. This partly accounts for its unique appeal, but it is also the source of a serious threat. As global warming takes hold, more and more icebergs are melting. The water from the melting ice is causing a rise in sea levels, which shows no signs of stopping. Experts fear that global sea levels could rise up to one meter over the next century. This would be a disaster for the Maldives because a one-meter rise in sea levels would effectively make the islands uninhabitable, putting many of them underwater.
Naturally, this is a source of grave concern. The Maldivian government has already made plans to purchase new land should sea levels continue to rise. They are also working hard on encouraging countries all over the world to cut their release of greenhouse gases. The current president even held a meeting underwater to publicize the danger to the Maldives and other low-lying countries.
While the science of global warming is still being contested by some, the case of the Maldives shows why global warming is too big a problem to ignore. Unless people can work together to change the way we live, it seems likely that the beautiful Maldives may be lost to the rising sea.
1. What kind of tourist would NOT enjoy a holiday in the Maldives?
(A) A keen scuba diver.
(B) A family looking for a relaxing beach holiday.
(C) A person interested in history and architecture.
(D) A person interested in music and dancing.
2. Why is tourism important to the Maldives?
(A) It provides employment.
(B) The Maldives has a long tradition of farming.
(C) Fishing is no longer enough for them to survive.
(D) Maldivians want people to admire their culture.
3. According to the article, global warming _____.
(A) is actually being reduced around the world
(B) is posing a serious threat to the Maldives
(C) will put many countries underwater within a century
(D) will help the Maldives attract more tourists to take part in underwater activities
4. Which of the following summarizes the Maldivian government's solutions to global warming?
(A) Working to stop global warming while preparing for the worst.
(B) Encouraging tourists to visit before it is too late.
(C) Training government workers in underwater skills.
(D) Buying nearby islands to develop.
除了鼎鼎有名的观光业，马尔地夫也拥有全球地势最低国家的特殊美名。其中许多岛屿的平均高度只高于海平面 1.5 公尺，这或许是构成它独特风光的部分原因，却也带来严重的威胁。由于全球暖化现象日益恶化，越来越多的冰山正在融化，融化的雪水造成海平面上升，而且没有停止的迹象。专家们担心，全球的海平面在下个世纪会上升 1 公尺。这对马尔地夫来说将造成极大灾害，因为只要海平面上升 1 公尺，就会严重影响到马尔地夫岛屿，这会让许多岛屿淹没在海水之中而无法居住。
想当然尔，这是个严重的隐忧。要是海平面持续上升，马尔地夫政府已经展开计划购买新的岛屿。他们也努力呼吁世界各国减少温室气体的排放量。现任总统甚至举行了一场水底会议，以倡导马尔地夫和其他低洼国家所面临的危险。
虽然有些人仍对全球暖化的科学理论提出质疑，马尔地夫的例子显示出这个重大问题不能被忽略。除非大家团结一致改变我们的生活方式，否则美丽的马尔地夫很可能就会被淹没在上升的海洋之中。
标准答案：1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (A)
For Your Information
马尔地夫目标在 2020 年前进行碳中和计划，几乎全面排除石化燃料的使用。计划包括以 155 个大型『风力涡旋机』构成的可更新发电与传送系统、半平方公里大小的太阳能板屋顶，以及以椰子壳发电的生物质能电厂；电池银行将在没有风力或太阳能时提供后备电力。
这些干净的电能不只提供住家与公司行号电力，也可当作车辆的动力，使用汽柴油引擎的船只与轿车将逐步淘汰，由电力船或电力车取代。
马尔地夫这项计划预估每年耗费 1 亿 1 千万美元，不过往后可望迅速回收成本，因为一旦计划执行，马尔地夫就不用再进口石油供发电与运输等。如果油价升高到每桶 100 美元，计划成本可以在 11 年内回收，不过以目前的油价计算，需要约 22 年才能损益两平。（数据源：自由时报电子报）
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