There’s no question that the Earth is getting hotter. The real
questions are: How much of the warming is our fault, and are we (47)
to slow the devastation by controlling our insatiable (48)
for fossil fuels Global warming can seem too
(49) to worry about, or too uncertain—something projected by the
same computer (50) that often can’t get next week’s weather
right. On a raw winter day you might think that a few degrees of warming
wouldn’t be such a bad thing anyway. And no doubt about it: Warmings about
(51) change can sound like an environmentalist scare tactic,
meant to force us out of our cars and restrict our lifestyles.
Comforting thoughts, perhaps. Unfortunately, however, the Earth has some
discomforting news. From Alaska to the snowy peaks of the Andes
the world is heating up right now, and fast. Globally, the (52) is
up 1°F over the past century, but some of the coldest, most remote spots have
warmed much more. The results aren’t pretty. Ice is (53) ,
rivers are running dry, and coasts are (54) , threatening
communities. The (55) are happening largely
out of sight. But they shouldn’t be out of mind, because they are omens of
what’s in store for the (56) of the planet. A — remote
B — techniques C —
consisting D — rest E — willing F —
climate G — skill
H — appetite I — melting J — vanishing
K — eroding
L — temperature M — curiosity N — changes
O — skillful