Thanks to Earth, we have fresh air to breathe, clean water to drink and warm sunshine to enjoy. But it seems that we may have taken these things for granted and not realized that our planet is getting “sick”.
Among those environmental challenges, climate change sits at the top. Global average temperatures have risen by more than 0.5℃ since 1992.
Scientists say that we are experiencing the sixth mass extinction (物种大灭绝) in history. More than two-thirds of the world’s wildlife could be gone by the end of the decade if action isn’t taken soon.
However, we have made some progress by making the hole in the ozone (臭氧) layer smaller. That’s because we gradually stopped using chemicals that can break down ozone, a gas that protects Earth.
| A．A half-degree temperature rise is a big deal. |
| B．But this is not the only problem people are facing. |
| C．In fact, scientists have recently given us a warning. |
| D．Scientists also point out that global warming will continue for centuries. |
| E．All the countries in the world should take action on behalf of future generations. |
| F．The Amur leopard and cross river gorilla are some of the most endangered animals. |
| G．This progress shows that we can make positive changes when we act, the letter says. |
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【推荐1】Kayaking(皮划艇) is an activity enjoyed by many people of all ages. It requires little or no experience and nearly anyone of any skill level can participate. It’s most popular as a summertime sport, but it is also a great activity during the winter. Kayaking also seems relatively friendly to the environment, more so than speed boating or water skiing. Because a kayak doesn’t create large or frequent waves, require fuel, or let off polluted air, it is indeed a fairly safe activity for humans and wildlife alike.
Kayaking on freshwater lakes and streams creates little turbulence and therefore does not disturb fish or other aquatic life. Actually, the gentle paddling and movement of the kayak helps to bring seaweed to the surface, making for convenient snacking to the fish. However, there is a drawback to the all-you-can-buffet for your fishy friends. In addition to bringing food to the surface, kayaking also stirs up litter that’s been hiding beneath the waters. Some aquatic animals will mistake it for food. This could cause the animals to choke on the indigestible litter, leading to death. As hazardous as this sounds, it isn’t very likely for such an event to take place. Most litter in lakes and streams is found along the shoreline and settles in the sand and dirt, and isn’t likely to drift away to the main body of water. Unlike boats operated by motor and fuel, kayaks pose little or no harm to the fish swimming beneath. And because kayaks do not have a motor, fish have no risk of getting caught underneath the boat.
One potential hazard that results from kayaking is human waste. This depends solely on where you plan to kayak, and if there are resources available (such as campsites) along the shoreline. When there are no facilities in sight, you’re paddling in the middle of a lake, and nature calls, then often you are given no choice but to expel your waste in the middle of the water. While human waste is considered biodegradable, it can be harmful when swallowed by fish. The only preventative measure is to avoid using the water as a restroom. Some public lakes and streams have taken steps to preserve the quality of the water by requiring permits for kayaking. This won’t ease the human waste problem, but does help regulate entry into the lake and prevent it from becoming overcrowded.
An important factor to remember when kayaking is that you are a guest in someone else’s home. You may not be greeted by anyone or be able to kick up your feet and watch TV, but the water is home to many aquatic animals and wildlife. Just as you would not throw trash on the floor or destroy the home of another, you shouldn’t do it outdoors either. Keep all trash with you in your kayak and properly dispose of it after you return to shore. By doing your part, you will help keep kayaking a safe and enjoyable activity for yourself and the environment.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Kayaking according to the passage?| A．Young people’s enjoyment of kayaking exceeds that of other people. |
| B．Water skiing has more negative effects on the environment than Kayaking. |
| C．Usually, kayaking is only practiced in the summer. |
| D．Whether you can kayak depends on resources available along the shoreline. |
| A．Providing aquatic animals with an all-you-can-buffet. |
| B．Stirring up litter to the surface of the water. |
| C．That aquatic animals choke to death because of eating the litter. |
| D．That most litter in lakes and streams is found along the shoreline and settles. |
| A．Recycled. | B．Environmentally harmless. | C．Poisonous. | D．Sustainable. |
| A．preserving the quality of the water there | B．stopping the waters from becoming too crowded |
| C．solving the problem of human waste | D．helping regulate entry into those waters |
| A．The environmental impacts of kayaking—is it dangerous? |
| B．The most popular water sports—kayaking |
| C．Advantages and disadvantages of kayaking |
| D．How to keep kayaking a safe and enjoyable activity? |
【推荐2】Plant a native help save Los Angeles. That’s Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi’s mission. For years, the FormLA Landscaping designers have worked to improve the landscape of Los Angeles by replacing over 20,000 square feet of lawns with indigenous plants, which can help fight climate change.
In 2010, the couple purchased a 1953 house. The home featured a bare backyard of dirt, rocks and trees. Soon after buying the home, the couple covered the yard with 12 inches of rich soil and took care of the original plants. When a large Italian stone pine tree fell over four years later, they decided it was time to address the exposed part.
When it came time to choose plants, the couple were understandably overwhelmed. They made a list of 70 different native plants. Then they narrowed the list by dividing the plants into three categories: plants to save water, plants to fight erosion, and plants for food. The first chosen plants included California lilacs, Nevins barberry and Catalina cherries.
As soon as they decided on the plants, the couple arranged them in the garden accordingly. One of the garden’s most distinctive touches is the use of existing rocks. “We make sure that we move them to areas where we like to hang out so that we can be part of that experience,” said Cassy.
After the natives were planted, the ecosystem took off. Birds, lizards and crows are now regular visitors to the yard, along with bees, ladybugs and butterflies. This landscape is more than just a garden; it’s a natural habitat.
“Everyone deserves to find the right fit,” said Cassy. Landscaping affects our health, our mood and our planet. Our authentic beauty can save us in so many ways.”
1. What do Cassy and Kirk mainly use to improve the landscape of Los Angeles?| A．Existing rocks. | B．Native plants. |
| C．Special garden designs. | D．Specially designed lawns. |
| A．In 1953. | B．In 1957. | C．In 2010. | D．In 2014. |
| A．The size of the plants. | B．The cost of the plants. |
| C．Being environmentally friendly. | D．Being able to fight insects |
| A．It has become a tourist attraction. | B．It follows the rules of natural ecology. |
| C．It mainly consists of original plants. | D．It makes foreign creatures feel at home. |
【推荐3】Time is one of humanity’s greatest blind spots. We experience it as days, months or years. But nature functions on much grander scales, measured in centuries, and even longer phases often grouped as “deep time.” Humanity’s shortsightedness around time creates major limits on modern conservation. As the climate and biodiversity crises accelerate, we are urgently working to protect and regenerate ecosystems without understanding how they functioned when they were truly doing well. A deep time perspective can help change that.
Take forest management. For decades, our practices called for all-out prevention of even the mildest forest fires, believing that fire was bad for both people and nonhuman nature. Until recently we ignored the forest management strategies indigenous (土著的) communities had successfully used for centuries, in particular the application of small-scale controlled burns. Fire, it turns out, has always been an integral ingredient in healthy forest ecosystems, promoting new growth by thinning the understory. Today, we’re beginning to see widespread application of indigenous knowledge to forest management, tapping into this ancient wisdom.
But how can we know what an ecosystem looked like centuries ago? One pathway is through modern mathematical modeling. We have married it with streams of long-term data and discovered a possible way to preserve the ecosystem of California’s kelp forest. By examining how North Pacific kelp forests existed long before the 19th century, we found that we’ve ignored the presence of a keystone species—the Steller’s sea cow, and its role in maintaining the harmony of this ecosystem.
Our model described the interactions between giant kelp and understory algae competing for light and space on the seafloor. Then we ran the model again, but this time with the Steller’s sea cow added in. These mammals fed on the leaves from the upper kelp layers. This allowed light to reach the sea bottom, which in turn stimulated the growth of not only the kelp but other kinds of organisms. In re-creating that vanished historical system that included the Steller’s sea cow, we could see a more diverse forestwhere the understory competed better with kelp
In short, what we assume we know about an ecosystem based on the recent past may impede our ability to fully understand and protect it. To ensure that our boldest conservation efforts are successful, we must begin looking at time as an essential tool.
1. According to the passage, what gets in the way of human’s conservation efforts?| A．Lack of insights into deep time | B．The worsening of biodiversity crises |
| C．The blindness to management strategies. | D．Resistance to taking a deep time perspective. |
| A．Ignoring the Steller’s sea cow led to ecological imbalance. |
| B．People now prioritize fire prevention over controlled burns. |
| C．Mathematical modeling matters more than indigenous knowledge |
| D．Harvesting upper kelp leaves encourages fresh growth in the understory. |
| A．Bring forth. | B．Boost up. | C．Shut down. | D．Hold back. |
【推荐1】The French Danone company is the latest to replace some plastic water bottles with aluminum (铝) cans. Competitors like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestle have also started selling water in aluminum cans.
Replacing plastic water bottles that pollute the seas with recyclable aluminum cans should be an easy way to help the environment, right?
Maybe not.
Aluminum cans might result in less ocean waste, and the metal containers also are lighter than glass or plastic bottles, but they also come with their own cost to the environment. The production of an aluminum can is estimated to release two times as much carbon dioxide into the air as a plastic bottle.
“That’s the dilemma you’re going to have to choose between,” said Ruben Griffioen, an official at beermaker Heineken. He said his company was Lrying to reduce the use of plastic bottles.
Bruce Karas of Coca - Cola North America agreed. He said, “There’s a mix. There are some things that are not that desirable, but if you have five good things and one that isn’t, we’ll all have to make decisions.” He added, “It’ll never be that clean.”
Bottled water is a 19 billion industry. Although its use of cans is increasing, experts say cans are unlikely to completely replace plastic bottles.
Aluminum is costlier than plastic so canned drinks mean higher prices for buyers. Another major consideration is user convenience-cans stay open while bottles can be reclosed. More importantly, there is one barrier to ending the use of plastic water bottles: There may not be enough cans to go around. Beer and wine makers are now also increasingly using aluminum.
1. What’s the advantage of aluminum cans?| A．They are pollution-free. | B．They are lighter. |
| C．They are cost-effective. | D．They are low-carbon. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Disapproving. | C．Neutral | D．Indifferent. |
| A．The wide application of aluminum cans. | B．The promising future aluminum cans |
| C．The major advantages of aluminum cans. | D．The unavoidable limitations of aluminum cans. |
| A．Aluminum Cans or Plastic Bottles? | B．A Blessing or a Misfortune? |
| C．How to Deal with Plastic Bottles? | D．Why Do We Choose Aluminum Cans? |
【推荐2】Microplastic particles(微塑料颗粒)appear to be killing fish because some baby fish prefer to eat the particles rather than their actual food, researchers have warned.
With fears that the amount of plastic in the oceans could soon equal the weight of fish in the sea, scientists have become increasingly concerned about the effects on the marine environment.
Now a study published in the journal Science has found that baby perch(鲈鱼)will actively choose to eat plastic over the plankton they would normally feed on. The researchers said this greatly increased death rates of the perch, stopping their growth and appearing to change usually behavior. For example, they are losing the ability to smell a predator(捕食者), which makes them much more vulnerable.
For example, they seemed to lose the ability to smell a predator that made them much more vulnerable.
Professor Peter Eklov, a co-author of the Science paper, said: “This is the first time an animal has been found to prefer to eat plastic particles over food. Increases in microplastic pollution in the Baltic Sea and decreases of the coastal basic species(物种)have recently been noticed. When placed in a tank, perch exposed to microplastic were eaten four times more quickly than perch that had not been eating plastic.”
Fellow researcher Oona Lpnnstedt stressed the effects of fish eating large amounts of plastic were likely to be felt throughout the food chain. “If early life-history stages of other species are similarly affected by microplastics, this will in turn increase death rates, so the effects on marine ecosystems could be lasting,” she said.
Microplastic is produced as larger pieces of plastic waste are broken down in the environment, but large quantities of microfibers from synthetic clothes---materials essentially made of plastic---are produced each time they are washed and are small enough to pass through waste water treatment plants and get into the sea.
Cosmetics(化妆品)companies are also continuing to put microplastic pieces into their products, but the industry says it will try to stop using them by 2020.
1. What are the scientists worried about?
| A．The loss of food sources | B．The rising water temperature |
| C．Large amounts of plastic in the ocean | D．Fishes growing bigger and bigger |
| A．easily harmed | B．strong |
| C．active | D．well protected |
| A．Only species that eat plastic particles will be affected |
| B．Fish farming contributes much to the pollution of the food chain |
| C．Microplastic means the breakdown of large pieces of plastic |
| D．Products used in our daily life may produce microplastic |
| A．Let’s Protect the Marine Animals |
| B．Fish Prefer to Eat Plastic over Food |
| C．The Effects of Plastic Pollution |
| D．The Oceans Are Full of Microplastic Particles |
【推荐3】When you think of the Arctic, you imagine an icy land of pure white snow. Others imagine it as the last really clean place left on earth. We have polluted the deepest oceans with plastic rubbish. “And now”, CNN says, “It's the Arctic's turn.”
German scientists have recently found microplastics (微塑料) in Arctic snow. Microplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters. Sadly, the scientists found 1800 pieces of microplastics per liter of snow.
How is plastic pollution reaching the Arctic? According to scientists, “It's clear that most of the microplastics in the snow come from the air.” They fall off the plastic objects and are moved by the wind, just like dust. They mix with ice in the air and fall to the ground as snow. Finding these plastics in Arctic snow means that we may breathe them in.
Are they bad for us? Scientists cannot answer this question for now, according to the WHO. We do know that our bodies cannot take in “large” pieces of microplastics. However, if the plastics are small enough, they can find ways into our bodies and stay there for a long time, which can be bad for our health. What's more, earlier studies have shown that microplastics may contribute to lung cancer risk.
Microplastics have also been found in rivers and oceans around the world. Earlier research has found that they flow over long distances and into our oceans, hurting ecosystems along the way. They start in our wastewater, then flow into rivers and out to the sea, where they are eaten by sea animals. If people then eat these animals, it means that we're eating the plastic as well.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．The Arctic has been polluted by plastic rubbish |
| B．The Arctic is an icy land of pure white snow. |
| C．The Arctic is a beautiful icy land with clean air. |
| D．The Arctic is the last rally clean place left on earth |
| A．From water. | B．From air. | C．From wind. | D．From food. |
| A．Reduce. | B．Donate. | C．Cause. | D．Help. |
| A．By advising us to drink clean water. |
| B．By asking people not to eat sea animals. |
| C．By showing the beauty of Arctic. |
| D．By telling the seriousness of plastic pollution. |
