規劃世界首座浮島城市

山東 李全忠

馬爾代夫現在正面臨海平面不斷上升所帶來的巨大威脅。 為了應對這個問題，馬爾代夫政府正全力以赴阻止此類問題的發生。 現在，馬爾代夫人又想到了一種新辦法來應對海平面上升的問題——小型浮島。

題材 體裁自然 新聞報道 347 ★★★★文章詞數 難度建議用時8分鐘

The annual 3- to 4-millimeter rise in sea level is expected to impact many coastal communities in the coming decades. Researchers believe that parts of what is arguably the lowest-lying country in the world will become unsuitable for people to live in by 2050, due to wave-driven flooding and limited freshwater. To solve the problem, the Republic of the Maldives recently announced plans for the world's first “true” floating island city.

In the works for over a decade, the floating island city is the idea of the Netherlands-based Dutch Docklands, a global leader in floating infrastructure (基礎建設). According to the March 13, 2021,announcement, the new city will be constructed on about three-quarter of a square mile, located just 10 minutes by boat from the Maldivian capital, Malé. It will contain about a thousand waterfront residences. The developers plan to add hotels, restaurants, shops, and even a school and a hospital in the near future. The floating structures will be anchored (系牢) to the surrounding islands, which will form a base and provide protection from high tides.

Maldives officials aim to make it as carbon neutral and self-sufficient as possible. Freshwater storage will provide drinking water for residents, while floating solar blankets and agriculture fields will take care of their energy and food needs.

“This Maldives Floating City does not require any land reclamation (改造), and therefore has a small impact on the coral reefs,” explained Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012. “What's more, giant, new reefs will be grown to act as water breakers. Our adaptation to climate change mustn't destroy nature but work with it, as the Maldives Floating City proposes. In the Maldives, we cannot stop the waves, but we can rise with them.”

Construction of the revolutionary city is expected to begin in 2022 and be completed in phases over the next five years. If successful, it will provide a blueprint for other countries facing a similar situation.

Reading Check

1. Which is the result of the rise in sea level?

A. More people will leave land.

B. Many places near the sea suffer a lot.

C. People have to adapt to living in the sea.

D. More unsuitable places have to face floods.

2. How does the floating city stay safe?

A. By relying on the coral reefs.

B. By dealing with high tides properly.

C. By being constructed on strong bases.

D. By being fixed to the nearby islands.

3. Why does the floating city have little influence on the coral reefs?

A. It lies near the capital city.

B. It has enough land to use.

C. It needs no development of land.

D. It makes full use of natural resources.

4. What's the benefit of the plans if they succeed?

A. Other countries will get inspiration.

B. More freshwater will be produced.

C. More people will live here for long.

D. Less pollution will be made in future.

Language Study

Ⅰ. Difficult sentence in the text

Researchers believe that parts of what is arguably the lowest-lying country in the world will become unsuitable for people to live in by 2050, due to wave-driven flooding and limited freshwater. 研究人員認為，由于海浪驅動的洪水和有限的淡水，到2050年，世界上地勢最低的國家的部分地區將不再宜居。

【點石成金】本句是一個主從復合句，句中的that parts of...是賓語從句；what is arguably the lowest-lying country in the world也是賓語從句。

Ⅱ. Theme-centered chunks

due to 由于……

by boat 坐船

aim to 旨在

take care of 處理；應對；照顧

act as 擔任……角色