“病危”的世界奇迹

我们的星球在经过了人类这几个世纪以来的摧残,现在已经满目疮痍。自然植物被破坏,全球气候变暖,自然环境逐年恶劣,不仅如此,古代的遗迹――人类文明的见证也在走向消亡,我们该怎么做呢?是该警示的时候了――

A new list identifies 93 sites worldwide that are endangered.

What do rocks in Pakistan, buildings in the United States and a park in Mexico have in common? All are in danger of disappearing. That serious news was made public in a report by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). WMF is an organization that identifies and helps preserve historic structures and land areas.

The 2010 World Monuments Watch List named 93 sites in 47 countries. The list, which comes out every two years, turns a spotlight on threatened places. According to WMF, there are several reasons why sites become endangered. Governments may not have the money or the interest to keep them up. War, such as the one in Iraq, can threaten a site. Sometimes, popularity can create a problem. Too many visitors could spoil Peru’s Machu Picchu and the Native American structures in Taos, New Mexico. Development?鄄building dams and making way for new homes―may destroy sites. And natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods can harm treasured places.

Saving for the Future

Bonnie Burnham, president of WMF, says the 93 sites need to be preserved because they are part of the world’s cultural heritage. She urges governments, environmentalists and others to save the monuments. That will help “ensure our place as stewards of the Earth for the next generation,” says Burnham. And that next generation is you!

Royal Tombs―Uganda乌干达的皇家陵墓

The Wamala King’s Tombs are where some rulers of the African nation of Uganda are buried. Today, this is an important place for the kings’ families to gather, as well as for visitors to learn about the history of Uganda. The thatch roofs need to be repaired often, but there is not enough government or private money to care for this historic treasure. WMF hopes that if it lists the site, Ugandans will once again be interested in caring for the burial place of kings.

The Walls of Avila―Spain西班牙的阿维拉城墙

The city of Avila, Spain, is known for its thick stone walls and towers, built 900 years ago. They protected Avila from invaders. Today, thousands of tourists come to see the medieval town. Buildings are going up around Avila to house a growing population. WMF wants to make sure that new buildings don’t ruin the town and its surroundings.

Taos Pueblo―United States美国的陶斯镇

These Native American adobe dwellings, built by the Pueblo is New Mexico, have been in use for more than 1,000 years. They are home to about 150 people. Tourists are changing the character of the place. A balance has to be found between the badly needed money that visitors spend and the need to preserve the site. Now the people of Taos Pueblo and the NationalPark Service are working to strike the right balance.

A Strange Garden―Mexico 墨西哥的奇异花园

A stairway that leads to nowhere and a three?鄄story house that is really five stories are just two of the strange structures you’ll find at Las Pozas. Started in the 1940s, the concrete sculptures garden includes eye?鄄crossing palaces and temples. Today, the rain forest threatens to overrun the weird help is under way, but a lot of work remains to be done.

Ancient Drawings―Pakistan 巴基斯坦的古老壁画

Someone engraved this rock drawing of Buddha about 2,200 years ago. The rock is located along an ancient trade route called the Silk Road. The Buddha is just one of 50,000 carvings and drawings of nature scenes, people and animals―some going back 11,000 years. These drawings will be covered by water when a dam is built in the area. WMF hopes that Pakistan’s government will make a record of the drawings before these historic treasures are lost forever.