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進入《中英對照讀新聞》U.S. intelligence sees global water conflict risks rising 美情報預見全球水資源衝突危機攀升
◎ 魏國金
Fresh water supplies are unlikely to keep up with global demand by 2040, increasing political instability, hobbling economic growth and endangering world food markets, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment released on Thursday.
根據週四公布的一份美國情報評估，至2040年時，淡水的供應不太可能跟上全球需求，因而增加政治不安定性、阻礙經濟成長，並危及全球糧食市場。
The report by the office of the Director of National Intelligence said that areas including South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa will face major challenges in coping with water problems that could hinder the ability to produce food and generate energy.
這份由國家情報首長辦公室發表的報告指出，包括南亞、中東與北非將在處理水資源問題上面臨重大挑戰，該問題恐阻礙糧食與能源的生產能力。
The report said that a "water war" was unlikely in the next 10 years, but that the risk of conflict would grow with global water demand likely to outstrip current sustainable supplies by 40 percent by 2030.
報告說，未來10年不太可能發生「水戰爭」，但至2030年時，全球水資源的需求恐超過當前可永續供應的40％，因此衝突的危機將成長。
"Beyond 10 years we did see the risk increasing," a senior U.S. intelligence official said. "It depends upon what individual states do and what actions are taken right now to work water management issues between states."
「超過10年後，我們真的看到這樣的危機增加，」一名美國高階情報官員說。「這端視個別國家要怎麼做，以及現在採取什麼行動，來處理各國之間水資源管理的議題。」
The report said that water in shared basins would increasingly be used by states to pressure their neighbors. "The use of water as a weapon or to further terrorist objectives also will become more likely," it said, noting that vulnerable water infrastructure was a tempting target. (Reuters)
報告說，共同流域的水資源將越加被有關國家用來施壓其鄰國。報告指出，「將水資源用為武器或用來助長恐怖份子的目的，也將變得更有可能」，該報告注意到，脆弱的水資源基礎設施是吸引人的攻擊目標。（路透）
新聞辭典
see︰動詞，在此指預見、預言。例句︰The oil-exporting states see huge benefit from it.（石油輸出國預見從中可獲巨利。）
keep up with︰片語，跟上、保持聯繫。例句︰My salary doesn’t keep up with inflation.（我的薪資跟不上通貨膨脹。）
hobble︰動詞，使跛行、束縛、阻礙。例句︰The president was hobbled by congressional resistance.（總統因國會的抵制而受掣肘。）
