【Extinction Events 2】Unit2 Part1

Scientists estimate that there have been at least 5 mass extinctions in the last 540 million years.科学家估计在过去的5亿4千万年间至少发生了5次大灭绝。

They also believe that we have entered a new extinction event.他们也相信我们已经进入了一个新的灭绝事件。

Species are becoming extinct at a much faster rate than before.物种灭绝的速度比以前快得多。

Instead of asteroids or volcanic eruptions, the current event is the result of human activities.而不是小行星或火山爆发，目前的事件是人类活动的结果。

Human activities, for example, have led to global warming.例如，人类活动导致了全球变暖。

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Global warming is the result of an increase in carbon gases in our atmosphere.全球变暖是大气中碳气体增加的结果。

These gases trap heat from the sun, so the Earth is getting warmer.这些气体吸收太阳的热量，所以地球正在变暖。

As a result, sea levels are rising and weather patterns are changing.结果，海平面上升，天气模式改变。

In addition, we humans are destroying the habitats of many plants and animals.此外，我们人类正在破坏许多动植物的栖息地。

Cutting down forests and polluting rivers destroys the habitats of many forms of life.砍伐森林和污染河流破坏了许多生命形式的栖息地。

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There is no longer any doubt that this is happening.毫无疑问，这种情况正在发生。

Species of life are disappearing at an increasing rate.生命物种正在以越来越快的速度消失。

Global temperatures are rising and weather patterns are changing.全球气温正在上升，天气模式正在发生变化

Scientists are warning us that fast action is necessary to save our future.科学家警告我们，为了拯救我们的未来，必须迅速采取行动。

If we don't act, we may go the way of the dinosaurs.如果我们不采取行动，我们可能会重蹈恐龙的覆辙。

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This new extinction event is caused by humans.这种新的灭绝事件是由人类造成的。