如果是永久凍土融化
it would significantly increase the amount ofmethane in the atmosphere.
那將有很大量的溫室氣體進入大氣層
That would be certain to speed up global warming,
這肯定會加速全球變暖
but by how much and with exactly what consequences,
但要了解確切的結果
no one can really say yet.
目前沒人能給出答案
It all comes down to the fickle nature of the atmosphere.
這全都取決于變化無常的大氣層
A change in one ingredient. Like the LeveL of methane,
一個要素的改變,比如甲烷濃度
can mean a dramatic shift in climate.
會導致氣候明顯變化
It has taken billions of years to create the atmosphere that we have today,
創(chuàng)造我們今天的大氣層花費了數十億年
and during that time
從那時起
an interdependence between life and the atmosphere has emerged.
生命和大氣層建立起了一種互相依賴的關系
We're the first species ever consciously to be changing the atmosphere,
我們是首個有意識改變大氣層的物種
knowingly warming it on a grand scale.
刻意使大范圍變暖
For Earth, a warmer atmosphere will be nothing new,
對于地球,一個暖些的大氣層并無新意
but for us humans, this is uncharted territory.
但是對于我們人類,這是一個未知的領域
Now we're in the vulnerable position of having placed ourselves
我們把自己放在了一個容易受傷害的位置
at the mercy of the most unpredictable of forces, the atmosphere.
在大自然最不可預測的力量--大氣層