哪種鉆石對環(huán)境更有利?

哪種鉆石對環(huán)境更有利?

Which kind of diamond is better for the environment and the world we live in: a diamond from a traditional mine or one made in a laboratory?

哪種鉆石對我們生活的環(huán)境和世界更好，是傳統(tǒng)礦場的鉆石還是實驗室制造的鉆石呢?

Some recent reports suggest the answer may not be so clear. At the very least, these reports provide evidence of tensions between two different sectors of the diamond industry.

最近的一些報道表明答案并不明確，至少，這些報告證明了鉆石業(yè)兩個不同部門之間的緊張關(guān)系。

Lab-grown diamond companies say they are more ethical and cause less harm to Earth’s environment.

人造鉆石公司說，他們更符合道德，對地球環(huán)境帶來的傷害更少。

The traditional diamond sector notes that its businesses help the communities where they operate mines. It says they provide jobs, help build roads and other infrastructure and make investments in conservation.

傳統(tǒng)鉆石公司則指出，他們的工作幫助了礦區(qū)的居民。他們提供了就業(yè)機會，幫忙修路和修建其他設(shè)施，而且為保護區(qū)投資。

Some companies, such as De Beers, work on both sides. De Beers sells natural and man-made diamonds.

一些公司兩者兼而有之，比如戴比爾斯，天然鉆石和人造鉆石均有銷售。

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigates reports of deceptive, or misleading, advertising. In April, the commission sent warning letters to eight lab-grown diamond companies.

在美國，聯(lián)邦商務(wù)委員會調(diào)查了一些欺詐性的、誤導性的、廣告性的報道。四月，委員會向8家人造鉆石公司發(fā)了警告信。

One of the FTC’s concerns was the use of the word ‘eco-friendly,’ and similar terms, to describe diamonds made in a laboratory. The lab-grown process requires very high temperatures and uses a lot of energy.

聯(lián)邦商務(wù)委員會的關(guān)注點之一是使用“環(huán)境友好”一詞，或者一些類似的術(shù)語去描述人造鉆石。實驗室造鉆石的過程需要非常高的溫度，還要使用大量燃料。

Trucost is a company that estimates the costs of using natural resources.Asked by the Diamond Producers Association to study the issue, Trucost found the carbon intensity of natural diamonds was lower than lab-grown diamonds.

Trucost是一家核算自然資源使用成本的公司，被鉆石生產(chǎn)商協(xié)會要求調(diào)查這一問題，Trucost發(fā)現(xiàn)天然鉆石釋放的碳濃度低于人造鉆石。

The Trucost report did note that diamond miners should reduce their effect on the environment by using more renewable energy, such as wind power and sunlight.

Trucost公司的報告著重指出，鉆石礦商應(yīng)該使用更多的可再生資源，例如風能和太陽能，來降低對環(huán)境的影響。

The Reuters news agency reported that the International Grown Diamond Association did not immediately respond to requests for comments about the story.

路透社報道說，國際鉆石協(xié)會沒有立即對有關(guān)此事發(fā)表評論的請求做出回應(yīng)。

I'm Susan Shand.

蘇珊·尚德報道。

Words in This Story

sector – n. an area or part that is different from others

ethical – adj. following accepted rules of behavior: morally right and good

conservation - n. the careful use of natural resources (such as trees and oil) to prevent them from being lost or wasted

resource – n. materials required for a person or organization to operate normally

renewable – adj. replaced by natural processes; able to be replaced by nature