大学英语初级听力文本Unit18-19.doc

Lesson 18 Energy Crisis（能源危机） Host (Michael Parkhurst): Good evening, and welcome again to the Michael Parkhurst Talkabout. In tonights programme, were looking at the problem of energy. The worlds energy resources are limited. Nobody knows exactly how much fuel is left, but pessimistic forecasts say that there is only enough coal for 450 years, enough natural gas for 50 years and that oil might run out in 30 years. Obviously we have to do something, and we have to do it soon! ? ? Id like to welcome our first guest, Professor Marvin Burnham of the New England Institute of Technology. Professor Burnham. Prof. Burnham: Well, we are in an energy crisis and we will have to do something quickly. Fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) are rapidly running out. The tragedy is that fossil fuels are far too valuable to waste on the production of electricity. Just think of all the things you can make from oil! If we dont start conserving these things now, it will be too late. And nuclear power is the only real alternative. We are getting some electricity from nuclear power stations already. If we invest in further research now, well be ready to face the future. Theres been a lot of protest lately against nuclear power—some people will protest at anything—but nuclear power stations are not as dangerous as some people say. Its far more dangerous to work down a coal mine or on a North Sea oil-rig. Safety regulations in power stations are very strict. ? ? If we spent money on research now, we could develop stations which create their own fuel and burn their own waste. In many parts of the world where there are no fossil fuels, nuclear power is the only alternative. If you accept that we need electricity, then we will need nuclear energy. Just imagine what the world would be like if we didnt have electricity—no heating, no lighting, no transport, no radio or TV. Just think about the ways you use electricity every day. Surely we dont want to go back to the Stone Age. Thats what will h