Episode Details

The American agency that follows the risk of coral bleaching around the world says “the worst bleaching event in the history of the planet may come soon.” 

追踪全球珊瑚白化风险的美国机构表示，“地球历史上最严重的白化事件可能很快就会到来。” 

Those are the words of Derek Manzello, head of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch. 

这是 NOAA 珊瑚礁观察负责人德里克·曼泽洛 (Derek Manzello) 的话。

NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA 是国家海洋和大气管理局。 

Manzello said the “entirety” of the Southern Hemisphere is “probably going to bleach this year.” The Southern Hemisphere is currently in summer and suffering from record-breaking water temperatures. 

曼泽洛表示，“整个”南半球“今年可能会白化”。南半球目前正值夏季，水温破纪录。 

Experts say climate change and the El Nino weather pattern are to blame for the warmer water. 

专家表示，气候变化和厄尔尼诺天气模式是造成海水变暖的原因。

Corals are small marine organisms that attach to mineral deposits in the ocean. Collections of the animals form ocean structures that support many kinds of sea life. 

珊瑚是附着在海洋矿藏上的小型海洋生物。这些动物的集合形成了支持多种海洋生物的海洋结构。

Bleaching is the term used by experts who see the once colorful coral turn white when water temperatures rise. It is a sign the animals are dying. 

白化是专家们使用的术语，他们发现当水温升高时，曾经色彩缤纷的珊瑚会变成白色。这是动物即将死亡的迹象。 

If corals die or go dormant, they can hurt fishing and tourism industries. 

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