Actually, as the Pickens example proves, global economic downturns take a toll on the environment by restraining economic activity that could improve the situation.

• 实际上正如上面Pickens的例子证明，全球经济减退会对环境带来不良后果，因为那些能提高环境质量的经济活动在全球经济衰退中受到了抑制。