Human demands for natural resources have doubled in less than 50 years and are now beyond what the earth can provide, a report warned. If humans carry on like this, we will need two earths by 2030. The population of wildlife has fallen by 60% in thirty years.

The report said British people are consuming (消耗) far more than the earth can deal with. If everyone lived such a lifestyle, humans would need 2.75 planets to survive. People are now living lifestyles which would require 1.5 planets, though there are great differences between rich and poor nations.

Researchers studied the global change in land use and water consumption. The UK comes 31st in a list of countries based on “ecological footprint (生态足迹)” that measures how much land and sea each person needs to produce the resources they consume and to absorb (吸收) the wastes. The UK has fallen down from 15th place in the last report two years ago to 3lst place, but the WWF believes it is an increase in other countries’ efforts rather than a reduction in the UK’s use of resources.

Ireland has the 10th highest ecological footprint, while the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Denmark, Belgium and the US are the five worst countries for over-consumption of resources. The study suggests if the expected global population of 9.2 billion in 2050 were to eat a Malaysian diet, 1.3 planets would be needed but if everyone were to eat an Italian diet, humans would need almost two planets. Those countries that can provide the highest quality of life using the lowest amount of resources will not only serve the global interest, but will be the leaders in a resource-limited world.

【小题1】We will probably need __________earths if we follow the British lifestyle.

A．1.3	B．2.75
C．2	D．1.5

【小题2】What do we know about “ecological footprint ”?

A．It has something to do with human demands for resources and their wastes.

B．It is used to produce the resources and absorb the wastes.

C．We can know the total amount of resources on the earth through it.

D．It is about changes in land use and water consumption across the globe.

【小题3】The WWF believes that_________.

A．the earth won’t be able to meet human needs after 50 years.

B．the UK has possibly not reduced the use of resources over the past two years.

C．Ireland has a lower ecological footprint than the UK.

D．there are no big differences in lifestyle between rich and poor nations.

【小题4】It can be learned from the text that Malaysia_________

A．has a larger population than Italy.

B．consumes fewer resources than Italy.

C．would need almost two planets.

D．has the highest quality of life.