10个理由告诉你,未来会更好(下)

wable Energy Can Provide 80 Percent of U.S. Electricity in the Future

3.可再生能源未来能为美国提供80%的电力

You have most likely heard of renewable energy or even incorporated it in your home, or office to do your part for the environment. Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources including the wind, sunlight, and water. This form of energy is always renewed and cannot be exhausted. The most popular modern day form of this energy can be seen in solar paneling. Renewable energy can produce electricity and plays a major role in reducing greenhouse emissions and fossil fuels.

你很有可能已经听到过可再生能源这个词，甚至你的家里或办公室里已经在使用可再生能源，以此来为保护环境尽自己的一份力。可再生能源来自自然资源，包括风、阳光和水。这种形式的能量一直更新，永不枯竭。最受欢迎的现代能源是太阳能。可再生能源可以产生电能，在减少温室气体排放和化石燃料的使用上起着重要作用。

A study released by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory predicts that renewable energy resources can soon provide up to 80 percent of the electricity in the United States. The study was conducted to determine how renewable energy can meet the needs of a rapidly increasing population. Using the current solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal, and hydropower, this 80 percent increase is a promising possibility for our future.

美国国家可再生能源实验室发布的研究表示，可再生能源很快就可以为美国提供80%的电力。开展此项研究旨在确定可再生能源如何满足迅速增长的人口的需要。通过使用当前的太阳能电池板、风力涡轮机、地热能和水电，80%这个数字未来很可能达到。

Increasing this renewable energy will provide substantial benefits for our economy, climate, and health. Not only will it drastically reduce global warming, but it will improve public health, and provide many economic benefits. In a future with 80 percent fewer renewables, our carbon emissions will also be reduced by 80 percent, and water use will be cut in half.

增加这种可再生能源将为我们的经济、气候和健康带来实质性的好处。它不仅能大幅减少全球变暖，而且能改善公共卫生，也能提供很多经济利益。未来有了这80%可再生能源，我们的碳排放量也将减少80%，用水量将减半。

This future is both possible and affordable, and we already have the tools in place to begin, however, we need to make improvements to our current electricity grid first. Additionally, the United States needs to implement a clean energy policy for renewables.

这种未来是充满希望且负担得起的，我们已经利用各种工具就地开始，然而，我们首先要改进当前的电网。此外，美国需要为可再生能源的使用落实清洁能源政策。

es Revolution Could Sweep the World

2.无人机革命会席卷全球

The military and the CIA have been using drones, or unmanned Ariel vehicles since the early 2000’s for use in attacks and other tactical efforts. The CIA was also utilizing these for surveillance before the September 11th attacks. Just a decade ago, the term “drone,” was only associated with terror attacks, war, and spy activity, however, today they are used much differently.

美国军方及美国中央情报局早在2000年就一直将无人机或不载人艾瑞欧汽车用于袭击或战争。中央情报局也曾在九一一袭击前将无人机作监视用。就在十年前，“无人机”这个名词仅和恐怖袭击、战争及间谍活动有关系，现在，他们的用途大有不同了。

The fear surrounding drones has lessened, and they have become quite popular in the modern day. One of the most popular uses of drones in recent years is to capture live events including weddings, sporting events, and concerts. Drones are also helping large organizations like NASA with surveillance in unknown areas. Additionally, these amazing Ariel vehicles are helping shooting movies, aiding law enforcement, and even watching wildlife.

当代人们对无人机的恐惧减弱，无人机也逐渐流行起来。近年最热门的无人机主要用于现场直播，包括婚礼仪式，体育比赛，音乐会等等活动。一些大型组织也用得到它，比如美国宇航局会借助无人机对未知区域进行监控。此外，这些神奇的飞行器能帮助拍摄影片，协助执法，甚至可以通过它观察野生动物。

If you thought all that was great, there is so much more on the horizon. In fact, drones are projected to change the revolutionize several areas in the future. For starters, helicopter-style drones are expected to offer farmers an affordable alternative for spraying crops with pesticides and fertilizers.

假如你认为以上功能已经很厉害了，那还远着呢。事实上，无人机项目在未来会彻底改变一些地区。首先，直升飞机式无人机可成为播撒农药和化肥的一种替代方式，农民们也负担得起。

The field of archology could benefit greatly thanks to the use of drones equipped with heat-sensing cameras. With thermal images, researchers could capture what is hidden beneath surface areas and structures. Thanks to a project grant awarded to Harvard-MIT, drones have aided in humanitarian work with the delivery of vaccines to critical locations throughout the world. As we advance into the future, drones are anticipated to expand internet access, deliver food, and much more.

得益于配备有热感应相机的无人机，起源论研究领域有了很大进展。科学家可通过热成像拍摄到藏在表层和结构之下的东西。一项项目资金拨给了哈佛麻省理工学院，无人机得以在世界各地关键区域播撒疫苗，为人道主义事业做出了贡献。如果我们能够提前进入未来世界，估计无人机能够扩大网络范围，分发食物，能做其他许许多多事情。

ual and Augmented Reality

1.虚拟现实与增强现实

With virtual reality, you can interact in a video game, swim the barrier reef, or hike the Appalachian trail right from the comfort of your couch. Virtual reality is a computer-generated environment that creates any reality of your choice, through images fed to your eyes from two small lenses. There are currently several VR headsets available through Google, Samsung, and other leading tech companies.

通过虚拟现实技术，你可以在电子游戏里互动，在堡礁中遨游，或者舒适地躺在沙发上就能攀登阿帕拉契山脉。虚拟现实是利用电脑模拟产生的虚拟现实，通过两个小镜头根据你的选择提供图像。目前谷歌、三星及其他技术领先的公司可提供数种VR耳机。

Augmented reality blends virtual reality and real life to create images within applications to provide a composite view. Augmented and virtual realities both utilize the similar forms of technology and they each coexist together to serve the user with a comparable type of enriching experience.

增强现实将虚拟现实和真实环境结合起来，以此来创造一种混合的视角。增强现实与虚拟现实运用的科技相似，他们彼此共存，共同为用户提供舒适且丰富的体验。

Both technologies are commonly sought after for entertainment purposes. However, tech developers are investing in improvements to reach new areas with the technologies. Additionally, augmented and virtual realities have shown great potential in adding to the medical fields in helping to heal PTSD. Automotive manufacturers are even using AR/VR to improve upon product designs and enhance technologies.

两者都因其娱乐性广受追捧，但是技术开发人员正在投资对这两种技术进行改善，希望通过新科技开拓出新领域。另外，增强现实与虚拟现实在医学领域已显示出巨大潜力，他们可帮助治愈创伤后的应激障碍。汽车制造商甚至也运用AR或VR来改善产品的设计并加强技术。

We can expect a lot more out of virtual and augmented realty in the future. Augmented reality is expected to fall in line with mobile technology and could include the creation of mobile applications. Other areas to look forward to include assisting the military with enemy positioning, engineer prototyping, and anatomy training for medical students.

我们期待未来可以从虚拟现实与增强现实技术中收获更多。增强现实应该会符合手机技术并且可以将手机应用的开发囊括其中。其他前瞻性的领域还包括协助军方定位敌军，工程原型塑造，为医学学生训练解剖等。

Virtual reality also looks very bright beginning with nanotechnology, this idea will upload the human brain into a computer system or gaming system, to allow you to experience graphics fully.

虚拟现实技术前途也是一片光明，首先是纳米技术，它会将人类大脑上传至计算机系统或者游戏系统，能让你身临其境一般。

Conclusion

总结

While fear can be a rational response to the unknown, there are many reasons to believe that the future will be promising. Although it is common to fear technology, the past has shown that it can and will be a promising addition to our lives. When the telephone was first introduced, many people were hesitant to accept it, and now we are hard pressed to find someone without one.

恐惧是对未知事物的合理反应，但仍有许多理由使我们相信未来充满希望。我们害怕科技很正常，但历史证明科技会给我们的生活带来益处，并且发展前景良好。电话最初发明出来的时候，许多人不愿接受，但是现在几乎没人没有电话。

The same held true with the first personal computer and the introduction of the internet. What we can learn from that is, our fears were proved irrational, and your technophobia was unnecessary. As you move towards the future, the same theory holds true; there is every reason to believe your future will be bright.

第一台个人电脑以及互联网的出现也是一样的道理。可以从中发现，我们对未知事物的恐惧是不合理的，你对新科技的恐惧也是不必要的。当你步入未来，这道理依旧正确；你完全有理由相信你的未来是光明的。

With another year, ahead of you, you have a clean slate, which means the world is your oyster, and whatever the future throws your way is in your control. In case you don’t like what the future has to offer, the best thing you can do is prepare.

在你面前的又是一年，你可以重新开始，这个世界是你的，未来会甩给你怎样的道路完全由你自己掌控。万一你不喜欢未来提供的道路，你最好的选择就是做好准备。

The best way to prepare for the future is to be ready for all possibilities, not just advances in technology. You can expect to see population growth, economic growth, and climate changes. As you move towards your future, place yourself in a position to take advantage of future opportunities should they come your way. It’s also a good idea to educate yourself and remain curious. When you do these things, you will be better equipped to handle your bright future.

为未来做好准备，就是准备好应对一切的可能，不仅仅是科技的发展。你可以预见到人口增长，经济增长以及气候改变。当你步入未来，你要利用好未来的各种机会，万一它们成为了你的正确道路呢。你得保持求知欲和好奇心，这样你就会更有准备地去应对自己光明的未来。