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It's no secret that the world is getting warmer.
全球暖化已经不是一个秘密
And the low-lying islands of the South Pacific are on the front line,
而当全球暖化导致海平面上升时
as global warming causes sea levels to rise.
地势低的南太平洋岛屿首当其冲
On the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu,
在太平洋岛国图瓦卢
nowhere is higher than five metres above sea level.
没有一个地方高出海平面五米
Tuvalu's nine atolls and islands are home to 12,000 people.
图瓦卢的九个环礁和岛屿是12,000人的家园
Their contribution to global warming is tiny, but its impact on them is massive.
他们对全球暖化影响极小 但全球暖化对他们影响极大
Sea walls are the nation's only defence,
防波堤是这个国家的唯一防线
but building higher walls is likely to prove futile.
但建筑更高的防波堤也可能是徒劳的
During big spring tides, seawater simply bubbles up through the ground.
在大潮期间 海水直接透过地面冒上来
In 2006, the islanders experienced their highest tides ever.
2006年 岛民经历了最高的大潮
These islands could soon become uninhabitable.
这些岛很快会变成无法居住
The seawater is poisoning the soil and groundwater.
海水正在破坏土壤和地下水
Eventually, the islands may have to be evacuated.
最后 人们可能被迫从这些岛上撤走
This would be an unprecedented move—an entire nation relocated.
这会是一次史无前例的迁移——整个国家被重新安置
So the ocean is threatening its islands, thanks to global warming.
因此拜全球暖化所赐 大海正在威胁着它的岛屿
And yet, the Pacific is playing a massive part in slowing down climate change.
即便如此 太平洋仍在减缓气候改变上扮演着重要角色
