三十年才能分解
What is the No.1 pollutant of the sea? Straws? Plastic bags? Surprisingly, the answer is cigarette butts.
污染海洋的第一名物質是什麼？吸管？塑膠袋？另人意外地，答案是菸蒂。
pollutant(n.)污染物surprisingly(adv.)令人意外地
According to A Greener Future, an organization aiming for environmental preservation, 4.5 trillion cigarette filters are thrown away each year.
根據名為A Greener Future的一個致力於環境保護的單位指出，每年有4.5兆的菸蒂被丟棄。
organization(n.)機構aim for N(Ving)=aim at致力於preservation(n.)保護、保存trillion(n.)兆filter(n.)濾嘴
Generally speaking, cigarette butts take up to 30 years to decompose.
一般來說，菸蒂需花上三十年的時間才能分解。
generally speaking=in general一般來說decompose(v.)分解
In the meantime, the toxic substances in the filters such as arsenic, lead, and nicotine all leak into the earth and the sea, causing serious damage to the environment for humans and other animal species.
同時，香菸濾嘴裡的有毒物質如砷、鉛、和尼古丁會釋放至土壤及海洋中，對全人類及動物的生存環境都會造成嚴重的破壞。
In the meantime=meanwhile同時toxic(adj.)=poisonous有毒的substance(n.)物質leak(v.)漏damage(n.)損害
So far, scientists and authorities have tried their best to reduce cigarette pollution.
目前為止，科學家及有關當局已經盡可能的減少香菸污染。
the authorities(n.)有關當局reduce(v.)降低、減少pollution(n.)污染
Inventions including biodegradable filters or the scientific approach of turning the used filter into a material to store energy are on the way.
生物可分解的香菸濾嘴，和採用科學方法將濾嘴轉換為可以儲存能源的物質，像這樣的發明都即將推出。
invention(n.)發明biodegradable(adj.)生物可分解的approach(n.)方法store(v.)儲存=save=reserveon the way即將發生
The United Nations has also started meetings on tobacco control.
聯合國也已召開香菸管制相關會議。
tobacco(n.)菸草=cigarettecontrol(n.)管制
However, the most effective way to reduce cigarette pollution might be banning its use once and for all, preventing this harmful item from continually damaging our health and planet.
但是，最有效減少香菸污染的方法，大概就是徹底地禁用香菸，避免這個有害的產品繼續破壞我們的健康和地球。
effective(adj.)有效的ban(v.)禁止once and for all徹底地harmful(adj.)有害的continually(adv.)持續地