Nuclear Energy's Moment Has Come
核能時刻已經到來
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For all the recent talk about clean energy and a shift away from coal, there’s a major problem in our goal to transition to a net zero-carbon economy. Despite all the growth and advances in renewable energy, globally we consume more fossil fuels than ever, and our rate of CO2 production is in fact increasing, not heading to zero.
But there’s a bipartisan, environmentally friendly solution still sitting on the table, still waiting for its moment — if only we can overcome our predetermined bias.
Most known as the physicist in charge of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory during WWII, JRO and many other prominent scientists noted that humanity reached a new milestone following the detonation of the first atomic bomb. In witnessing a technology sufficiently powerful to destroy humanity, they also recognized its potential for collective good — that it required a new level of unity to address common threats. JRO and others recommended that the only safe path forward was global scientific cooperation, especially in an effort to avoid international arms races. That level of cooperation is necessary to face today’s threats from exponential technological growth.
BY CHARLES OPPENHEIMER MAY 11, 2023
單字
1. predetermined [ˌpri:.dIˈt3:.mInd] adj. 先決的；事先安排的
The outcome of the experiment was not influenced by external factors; instead, it was solely determined by the predetermined variables.
實驗結果並不是受到外在因素而影響，而是單純因為實驗先決變數所決定。
2. prominent [ˈpra:.mE.nEnt] adj. 著名的；重要的
John is a prominent figure in the field of astrophysics, having published numerous groundbreaking papers and received international recognition for his research.
約翰在天文物理領域是個著名人物，他發表過數篇突破性文獻，並且因為自身研究獲得國際的認可。
3. exponential [ˌek.spEˈnenSEl] adj. （增長）越來越快的；呈指數成長
The advancements in technology have led to an exponential growth in communication capabilities.
科技的進步使得通信能力呈指數成長。
片語
1. shift away from 轉型、改變；遠離某事物
The government needs to accelerate the shift away from traditional manufacturing towards high-tech industries to stay competitive in the global market.
政府必須加快將傳統製造業轉型至高科技產業，以在全球市場上保持競爭。
2. on the table （計畫、建議）被列入考慮、討論當中
With multiple proposals on the table, the committee is currently reviewing and comparing different approaches to solve the housing crisis.
在數個提案都已被提出討論的情況下，委員會目前正在審視、比較不同方法以解決住房問題。
3. sitting on 處於可用、可實現的狀態
There is a pool of highly skilled professionals sitting on the sidelines, eager to demonstrate their expertise and make valuable contributions to the company's growth.
有一批技術高超的專業人士閒置在一旁，渴望展現他們的專業知識，並對公司的成長做出有價值的貢獻。
句型
1. Despite + N/V-ing 儘管
連接詞despite的使用表達了對比與轉折，despite的出現通常都是為了強調前後事物的相反或者不符合預期的情況，despite之後通常接用名詞或動名詞。
Despite facing numerous challenges, she persevered and achieved her goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur.儘管面臨種種挑戰，他堅持不懈，最終達成了成為成功企業家的目標。
2. If only + S + had p.p. … 要是
If only作為表達後悔、願望或希望的用法，用以表示對過去或現在狀況的渴望改變，或者希望某事發生。因為if only後通常接與發生的事相反的願望，所以一般接用had + 過去分詞。
If only I had listened to my parents' advice, I wouldn't have made such a big mistake.
要是我當初有聽我爸媽的建議就好了，我就不會鑄下大錯。
文法點
1. 比較級 (comparatives)
比較級用於將兩個事物進行比較，表達其中一個事物在某個屬性上的程度較高或較低。比較級通常使用 "more + 形容詞/副詞" 或 "-er" 來形成，並且常伴隨著than引導的比較對象。
在節選文章， “more fossil fuels than ever” 當中more than ever是常出現的用法，強調與以往程度上的增加與差異。
2. 虛擬語氣
節選文中 “That level of cooperation is necessary to face today’s threats from exponential technological growth.” 使用了虛擬語氣，以表達對於目前威脅的假設或建議，通常除了假設與建議之外，虛擬語氣也用於願望、尚未成為現實或非現實的假設情況。
It is essential that governments cooperate closely to mitigate the impact of climate change. （政府之間密切合作對於減緩氣候變化的影響至關重要。）