为什么美国人喜欢开车出门？过多的汽车会引起什么环境问题

今天的这段对话，在讨论汽车，

为什么美国人喜欢开车出门？过多的汽车会引起什么环境问题

来听今天的讲解:

A: How did you get around over there? Did you rent cars?

在那里你怎么样到处逛？租车子吗？

B: No, that would be too expensive. We used the train system.We bought a special pass called a Eurail pass.It lets people use the train wherever they want, as often as they want.

没有，那太贵了，我们搭火车。我们买了一种特殊的“欧铁通行证”。可以让人随时想去哪儿就去哪儿。

A: I've heard about Eurail passes.So those Europeans really depend on trains a lot.

我听说过“欧铁通行证”。那么欧洲人很依赖火车了？

B: Yes, they do. I wish we Americans had a better train system.

是的，但愿我们美国能有更好的铁路系统。

A: I know. Our train system is lousy.And besides, Americans love their cars too much.

我知道，我们的铁路系统糟透了。除此之外，美国人太爱开车。

B: I agree. And probably the automobile companies are too powerful.They never allowed the government to develop trains.

我同意。也许汽车公司太强势。它们绝不允许政府开发铁路。

A: It's too bad for the environment. So much pollution from cars.

这对环境很糟糕，汽车制造很多污染。

B: Americans love cars for different reasons, I think.One reason is that we are very individualistic.And cars are a very individual way of getting around.Americans like the freedom of driving around by themselves.They don't want to ride in a train or bus with a group of people.

我想美国人喜欢开车有不同的理由，其中之一是非常个人主义。而开车是很个人化的行动方式，美国人喜欢自己开车到处走的自由。他们不喜欢和一大群人一块儿搭火车或公车。

A: Yes, I agree. I think it is a cultural characteristic.It would be very hard to get us Americans to change this.But you know what? Probably, in the future, Americans will have to change.

我同意，这是文化特质。要我们美国人改变是很困难的。但是你知道吗，或许将来美国人不得不改变。

B: Why do you say "have to"?

为什么你说“不得不”呢？

A: Because the earth's environment can't tolerate cars forever.I think cars are already causing global warming.When the problem gets more serious, world governments will have to start limiting car use.

因为地球环境无法永远容忍汽车。汽车已经引起全球温室效应。当问题更严重时，全世界的政府都必须开始限制车辆的使用。

B: Maybe you're right. They will have to develop alternative transportation.But it will be hard in America. Too many people are used to cars.Even in our movies cars are very important.

也许你说得对，它们必须开发其他的交通工具。但是在美国很困难，太多人都习惯开车。甚至在电影中，汽车也很重要。

A: Wow! I didn't notice the time.It's almost noon. I have to get home.

哇！我没注意到时间。快中午了，我必须回家。

B: Do you want me to give you a ride?

要我开车送你吗？

A: No, no problem. I have my car in the parking ramp around the corner.

没关系，我的车就停在转角的停车坡路上。

B: Alright.Well, I'll stay here and have another coffee. Nice running into you.

好的。我要待在这里再喝杯咖啡，很高兴碰到你。

A: See you around.

回头见。