VOA慢速英语:Grassroots Activists Receive Goldman Environmental Prize

短语讲解：

1. He grew up in Durban and worked in a chemical factory.

grow up 向上生长; 长大;  成熟; 出现
例句：Children grow up surrounded by fences.
儿童同样伴随着围栏成长。

2. And, many suffer from cancer.

suffer from 患（某种病），受（某种病痛）折磨
例句：All three panelists suffer from mental illnesses themselves.
这三个小组成员本身就患有精神疾病。

3. The expansion would increase pollution, and displace thousands of people without paying for their land.

pay for 赔偿; 为…付钱
例句：Pay for low-skilled workers has fallen.
低技能工人的工资已经降低。

4. Looking forward, my main goal is to continue to try to change people’s consciousness so that they better-understand that nature isn’t something we can just sell off and get rich on.

sell off 廉价销售; 卖掉
例句：He was forced to sell off his land. 
他被迫以低价将土地出售。 

5. Experts say the law will help force government officials and businesses to work for stronger protection of the environment.

work for 受雇于; 为…而工作; 效劳; 致力
例句：Comrade Yang will be in charge of that work for the time being. 
杨同志将暂时负责那项工作。 

6. But for many years, local governments have been judged only on their economic performance.

but for 要不是
例句：But for music (=Were it not for music), life would be dull. 
要不是音乐，人生会很无聊。 

7. Two years passed before China’s parliament was able to approve the measure.

be able to 能够
例句：He will be able to take up his normal routine shortly. 
他不久就能处理日常事务。 

8. “This was about making sure that we can invest in the oceans in a way that alleviates poverty, that shares broad prosperity, while turning down the heat.”

turn down 减少，关小
例句：Turn down the phonograph. 
把唱机开小一些。  
 
9. She said the first part would be to set up partnerships.

set up 建立; 准备
例句：The students also set up debating teams.
学生们还成立了辩论队。

10. She says the delegates also talked about the need to speed up action to make sure they can end illegal, ungoverned and unreported fishing.

speed up （使）加速; 开快车; 加紧; 增速;
例句：Each business has unique opportunities to speed up cash flow.
每家企业都有独特的机会来加快资金周转。
make sure 把事情弄清楚，核实或查明某事物
例句：Finally, make sure you are living your life.
最后，确定正视自己的生活。