Talk of the town : Arctic could be ice-free in summer by 2030s
【明報專訊】A study published in Nature Communications concludes that the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer by the 2030s, which is about a decade sooner than the experts and researchers previously predicted. According to the scientists, as long as the sea ice covers less than 1 million square kilometres in Arctic Ocean, which is about 7% of its area, the Arctic is then regarded as "ice-free".
Scientists have been predicting when the Arctic Ocean will be ice-freed and the 2030s is sooner than most scientists had thought possible. It is known that the melting of sea ice at the North Pole would not only be a symbol of climate breakdown, but also have global and hazardous effects. According to the WWF, less ice will lead to more intense heatwaves worldwide as the Arctic has been performing as the world's refrigerator. Not only will the coastal communities be adversely affected by rising global sea levels, but food production will also be halted due to the unpredictability of weather caused by ice loss.
■Grammar Booster
Not only… but also…
"Not only... but also..." is a correlative conjunction that is used to connect two ideas or actions that are both important.
e.g. The car not only is economical but also feels good to drive.
■Game
(Answer on next text)
Riddle:
I live in the Arctic circle
And I have fur that is white
I live in water and on ice
And have a very strong bite
Who am I?
■Gear up
(Answer on next text)
The Arctic has been performing as the world's refrigerator.
(True/ False)
■Glossary
hazardous (adj) 危險的
heatwaves (n) 熱浪
coastal (adj) 沿海的
unpredictability (n) 不可預測
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第381期]
