Nations plan next steps to end global warming
On December 3，more than 10,000 scientists, environmental activists and government officials from 187 countries met in Bali, Indonesia, which is the largest global warming conference ever held.
One of the main goals of the two-week meeting is to develop a replacement for the international treaty called the Kyoto Protocol, which has been signed by 174, countries, calling for limits on the emission of greenhouse gases.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, nations were legally bound to reduce greenhouse gases, but since it was signed in 2005, they have continued to increase worldwide. Of the largest greenhouse gas emitters, only Russia and Japan have agreed to follow me rules. China and India－second and sixth on the list－are making efforts to make cuts.
The U.S signed the treaty in 1997 but has not yet agreed to follow the strict rules, which require that greenhouse gas release be reduced by 10% by 2012. U.S. officials are opposed to these mandatory（強制性的），or required, cuts in emissions. "We’re worrying that it would be too costly and would hurt the U.S. economy. But we're not here to be a roadblock," said Harlan L. Watson, a top U.S. climate official.
Even if greenhouse gases are reduced, scientists say it will take decades or longer to stop the global warming that is already underway. To help poor countries deal with rising temperatures and climate changes, the UN has developed the "Adaptation Fund" to help them improve farming techniques and water systems.
But so far, it has only raised $67 million.
"The money should come from the countries most responsible and most capable," said Kate Raworth, a senior research official from the Oxfam International aid group. She listed the U.S., European Union, Japan, Australia and Canada.
The underlined word "they" in Paragraph 3 refers to“_____”.
A. greenhouse gases
B. the countries which have signed the treaty.
C. people who are against the treaty
D. the measures taken to reduce greenhouse gases
By saying "But we’re not here to be a roadblock", Harlan L. Watson wants to say that_____．
A. the U.S will be a roadblock to the global economy
B. the U.S has realized that some action must be taken
C. the U.S refused to follow the rules of the Kyoto Protocol
D. the U.S thinks this conference of no importance
According to Kate Raworth, the "Adaptation Fund" should come from all the following EXCEPT______．
A. Japan B. European Union C. India D. Canada
Why did U.S officials not agree to make effort to reduce greenhouse gases?
A. Because the greenhouse gases they emitted are not so harmful.
B. Because they fear that it would affect the U.S economy.
C. Because they shouldn’t be responsible for global warming.
D. Because they think these gases won’t cause global warming_____.
We can learn from the passage that_____.
A. the conference will last a fortnight
B. the U.S hasn’t signed the Kyoto Protocol.
C. many manufacturers attended the conference
D. the global warming will be stopped as soon as greenhouse gases are reduced
