August 2 turned out to be a significant day in the year 2023. It was the day the Earth ran out of its annual resource budget, also known as Earth Overshoot Day or Ecological Debt Day. In less than eight months, humans used up all the natural resources the planet can regenerate within one year.
To calculate Earth Overshoot Day each year, an organization called the Global Footprint Network collects data from the UN that includes the ecological footprint of each country as well as the biocapacity of the planet. Biocapacity refers to the planet’s ability to produce renewable resources and absorb waste. When the overshoot day passes each year, it means any natural resources used after the day cannot be replenished, and any extra carbon dioxide produced will just accumulate in the atmosphere.
While Earth Overshoot Day 2023 is months earlier than December 25, the date of the first recorded Earth Overshoot Day in 1971, it is five days later than the previous year. This indicates that the rate at which we use our resources is gradually starting to slow down. However, many things still need to be done to move Earth Overshoot Day to the end of the year.
Photos courtesy of IVY English I 照片：常春藤提供
The Global Footprint Network has stated that increasing the share of low-carbon energy sources to 75% could push the date back by 26 days. Other things, such as halving food waste and reforesting land, could move the date back as well. If steps like these aren’t taken and overshoot days continue to move up, natural disasters like heat waves, droughts, forest fires and floods will only worsen.
2023年八月二日成為一個意義重大的日子。這天是地球用完了每年資源預算的一天，也被稱為「地球超載日」或「生態負債日」。人類在不到八個月的時間，就耗盡了地球一年內能夠再生的所有自然資源。
為了要計算每一年的地球超載日，一個名為「全球足跡網絡」的組織會從聯合國蒐集數據，其中包括每個國家的生態足跡以及地球的生態承載力。生態承載力指的是地球生產再生資源和吸收廢棄物的能力。當過了每年的超載日時，意味著該日之後所使用的任何自然資源都無法填補，而且任何額外產生的二氧化碳將只會累積在大氣中。
儘管2023年地球超載日比於1971年首次記錄的地球超載日—十二月二十五日—提前了幾個月，卻比前一年晚了五天。這表示我們使用資源的速度正逐漸開始減緩。然而，仍然有許多事要完成，以將地球超載日推遲至年底。
全球足跡網絡已聲明，將低碳能源的份額增加到75%，可能得以將地球超載日推遲二十六天。其他像是把食物浪費減半和重新造林等措施，可能也會將日期往後推。如果不採取像這樣的措施、且超載日的現象持續提前的話，像是熱浪、乾旱、森林大火和洪水等自然災害只會變得更嚴重。
What Did You Learn?
1. What does biocapacity refer to?
(A) The size of each country’s ecological footprint.
(B) The number of days it takes for the planet to generate resources.
(C) The planet’s consumption of resources and release of greenhouse gases.
(D) The Earth’s ability to produce sustainable resources and soak up waste.
2. According to the passage, how has Earth Overshoot Day changed over the years?
(A) The data used is different.
(B) It has moved back significantly.
(C) It has moved forward dramatically.
(D) The way it is calculated has changed.
3. Which of the following is NOT listed as an action that can delay Earth Overshoot Day?
(A) Raising the percentage of energy sources with low-carbon emissions.
(B) Manufacturing a greater quantity of recyclable products.
(C) Reducing food waste by 50%.
參考答案
1. D
2. C
3. B
Word in Use
1. annual a. 每年的；一年一次的
The annual membership fee at this gym is NT$15,000.
這家健身房每年的會員費是新臺幣一萬五千元。
2. ecological a. 生態的
The destruction of these big forests could have serious ecological consequences.
這些大型森林的毀壞可能會造成生態上的嚴重後果。
3. calculate vt. 計算；估算
The meteorologists tried to calculate when the typhoon would make landfall.
氣象學家們設法估算颱風何時會登陸。
4. absorb vt. 吸收
Black holes absorb light with their intense gravity.
黑洞強烈的引力會將光線吸入。
5. accumulate vi. 累積
Dust will accumulate if a house is not cleaned on a regular basis. 如果沒有定期打掃房子，灰塵就會累積起來了。
Practical Phrases
1. turn out to be... 結果是∕竟然是……
Barney turned out to be the best friend I ever had.
巴尼後來成為我一生中最好的朋友。
2. run out of... 耗盡∕用光……
We ran out of gas on our way to the beach.
我們在開往海灘的路上把汽油用光了。
3. refer to... 指的是……
Sam was referring to his sister when he said he was fed up with dishonest people.
當山姆說他受不了不誠實的人時，他指的是他姊姊。
4. slow down 減緩，減速
There were signs at every corner along the road warning motorists to slow down.
沿路每逢轉彎處都有警告駕駛人減速慢行的標誌。
5. take steps (to V) 採取措施∕步驟（做……）
The authorities concerned should take steps to crack down on drug abuse.
有關當局應該採取措施來掃蕩毒品。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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