The Ocean Pollutes A decision by the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) establishes an emissions control

admin2013-06-05  49

问题                             The Ocean Pollutes
    A decision by the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) establishes an emissions control area and requires all oceangoing ships, including oil tankers, cargo vessels and cruise ships, to use cleaner fuel within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. and Canadian coasts. The rule, which was proposed by the two nations a year ago, will become enforceable in August 2012.
    Up to now, ships that fall outside the U. S. government’s jurisdiction often use heavy, sludge-like fuels with high levels of sulfur. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the rule will force ships to use pricier, more-refined fuel that cuts sulfur levels by 98 percent, thereby slashing by up to 85 percent nitrogen oxide emissions that are linked to cancer.
    "This is a change that will benefit millions of people and set in motion new innovations for the shipping industry," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement. "The sulfur, particulate emissions and other harmful pollutants from large ships reach from our ports to communities hundreds of miles inland-bringing with them health, environmental and economic burdens," she said. "Cleaning up our shipping lanes will be a boon to communities across North America."
    California is the only state that mandates ships within 24 nautical miles of the coast to burn cleaner fuel. The mandate prompted many vessels heading to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to take a shortcut route to save on using the costlier fuel. The different traffic pattern caused safety concerns as some ships entered restricted areas where Navy missile tests are conducted.
    Under pressure to clean up emissions contributing to some of the nation’s worst air quality, officials of the giant Long Beach and Los Angeles port complex had also imposed cargo fees to help pay for cleaner trucks that haul goods in and out, raising worries that ships might go elsewhere.
    Shippers and cruise companies initially opposed the new emissions control area on grounds that it sets arbitrary boundaries using faulty science and the switch to low sulfur fuels would drive up costs. After the IMO decision, though, they appeared to he softening their stance.
    Environmentalists said winds off the ocean can blow ship pollution hundreds of miles inland, so the new rule will improve the air for residents in every region of the country.
What might NOT be the effect of the IMO rule?

选项 A、Ships with the U. S. government’s jurisdiction have to use cleaner fuel.
B、There will he no change in the percentage of people who suffer from cancer.
C、It is time for the shipping industry to set about some reforms.
D、Environmental burdens of North American communities will be reduced.

答案B

解析 根据题干关键词NOT和effect of the IMO rule定位到文章第2段第2句后半句:thereby slashing by up to 85 percent nitrogen oxide emissions that are linked to cancer.可知,这一规定可使与癌症有关的氮氧化物的排放量削减85%,但文中并没有提及患癌症的人数的变化,故B不正确。
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/FAd4777K
0

最新回复(0)