根据动物保护组织世界自然基金会（WWF）发表的一份重要报告，全球野生动物数量在不到50年的时间里减少了三分之二以上。报告称，这种 “灾难性的下降趋势” 没有减缓的迹象，并警告说，大自然正以前所未有的速度遭到人类的破坏。

The report looked at thousands of different wildlife species living in forests, grasslands, rivers, and oceans, across the world. Conservation scientists recorded an average 68% fall in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish since 1970.

这份报告研究了生活在世界各地森林、草原、河流及海洋中的数千种野生物种。动物保护科学家的记录显示，自1970年来，哺乳动物、鸟类、两栖动物、爬行动物和鱼类的数量平均下降了68%。

They described the decline as catastrophic and clear evidence of the impact humans are having on the planet through burning forests, overfishing the seas and destroying wild spaces. 

科学家们说动物数量下降是灾难性的，也是人类燃烧森林、过度捕捞海洋生物和破坏野生空间对地球造成影响的确凿的证据。

But Dr Mike Barrett of WWF-UK says new modelling evidence suggests the tide can be turned if action is taken urgently.

但世界自然基金会英国分会的迈克·巴雷特博士说，新的模型证据显示，如果紧急采取行动，就可以扭转这种趋势。

The report says efforts to protect wildlife must be combined with tackling habitat loss and deforestation. This will mean changes to the way food is produced and consumed, including reducing food waste and moving to healthier diets. 

报告还指出，保护野生动物的工作必须与解决栖息地丧失和滥伐森林相结合。这将意味着改变食物的生产和消耗方式，包括减少食物浪费和转向更健康的饮食结构。

词汇表

grasslands 草原，草场
conservation 动植物保护
mammals 哺乳动物
amphibians 两栖动物
reptiles 爬行动物
catastrophic 灾难性的
overfishing 过度捕捞
tackling 解决，应对
habitat loss 栖息地的消失
deforestation 大面积滥伐森林
food waste 食物浪费

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. True or false? The fall in wildlife populations can be seen as an impact of human activities.

2. How much decline in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish have conservation scientists recorded since 1970?

3. According to Dr Mike Barrett, how can we turn the tide?

4. What should we consider when protecting wildlife, according to the report?

答案

1. True or false? The fall in wildlife populations can be seen as an impact of human activities.
True. Scientists described the fall as clear evidence of the impact humans are having on the planet through burning forests, overfishing the seas and destroying wild spaces.

2. How much decline in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish have conservation scientists recorded since 1970?
Conservation scientists recorded an average 68% fall in these animals since 1970.

3. According to Dr Mike Barrett, how can we turn the tide?
Dr Mike Barrett says new modelling evidence suggests the tide can be turned if action is taken urgently.

4. What should we consider when protecting wildlife, according to the report?
The report says the efforts to protect wildlife must be combined with tackling habitat loss and deforestation.