【推荐1】Making a transition away from fossil fuels and towards low-carbon energy is the only way to keep our planet safe and habitable for future generations. That transition has thankfully begun, but it has a vast distance to go. And the kinds of changes that are needed cost money. Development of new technology has always required investment.

This applies to the generation of renewable energy, and to the countless lifestyle changes that follow from the shift away from coal, oil and gas. Electric cars and other transport are one example. Packaging to replace plastic is another. Resources are also required to protect societies from the harms caused by the global heating that has already happened, and to help them adjust to altered conditions.

A new report presented at the Cop27 UN climate summit says that about S2tn (£1.75tn) a year will be needed by 2030 if developing countries are to make the necessary changes. One of the authors, Nicholas Stern, pointed to a crucial role for the World Bank as well as western governments in redirecting finance and reducing the cost of capital for investors (banks typically charge higher interest on investments in poor countries, due to predicted risks).

The promise made in 2009 of S100bn worth of climate finance annually from rich countries to poorer ones has been broken. But developing countries have succeeded in getting loss and damage on to the formal Cop agenda (议程) for the first time. So far, five European countries have agreed to contribute to a fund to help weak countries manage global beating’s destructive effects. These commitments are welcome, but insufficient.

Carbon emissions, and the dangerously warming planet they have led to, are the byproduct of the way that the rich world developed. Since industrialisation, we have burned our way to wealth. Thankfully, we now know that there are alternatives to this destructive patter. Renewable energy, along with social change aimed at limiting some forms of consumption, is at the heart of this prospectus (会议章程).

【推荐3】Recent research has found that Martian soil contains all the essential nutrients necessary for growing rice, planetary scientist Abhilash Ramachandran reported at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, providing new possibilities for agriculture on the Red Planet.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, tested simulated (模拟的) Martian soil to determine its suitability for growing rice. The researchers found that the soil contained all the essential nutrients needed for the crop to grow, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They also found that the pH level of the soil was within the preferable range for growing rice and that the soil was able to support the growth of healthy rice plants.

However, it would be a bit challenging for the plants to survive in the soil that has perchlorate, a chemical that has been detected on Mars’ surface which can be toxic to plants.

The team of researchers conducted an experiment to grow rice in soil containing perchlorate. They employed a wild rice variety and two genetically modified strains, which were designed to tolerate environmental stressors such as drought, and tested them in Mars-simulated soil with and without perchlorate. The study revealed that a concentration of 3 grams of perchlorate per kilogram of soil resulted in no growth of rice plants. However, when the concentration was reduced to 1 gram per kilogram, one of the genetically modified lines successfully grew both a shoot and a root, while the wild variety was only able to grow a root.

The discovery could be a game-change for future missions to Mars, as it could enable astronauts to grow their own food on the planet, reducing the need for costly and complex resupply missions. In addition, studying the growth of plants on Mars could provide valuable insights into the potential for life on other planets and help scientists to better understand the conditions necessary for life to exist.

【推荐1】It’s certainly not unusual to see groups of footballers gathering at sports centres around the country, readying to kick a ball around, but look again and you’ll see that many of them are more mature than you first thought. Created as recently as 2011, and mostly played by those aged over 50, walking football is a sport still in its infancy.

For the uninitiated(外行人), it’s football, but maybe not as you know it. The game certainly isn’t as slow as you might imagine. One foot has to remain on the ground at all times, so the ball has to be moved with accuracy, players having to find space to receive the pass. Often players are restricted to three touches of the ball before releasing it as a mechanism to cut down on any running. The rules are further slightly changed to ensure there’s minimal contact between players with no tackling from the side or from behind. 

Andy Fairburn is a regular at the sessions. Now in his early-seventies, Andy finds the game still has plenty to offer him.  

“I’ve been playing football since I was about 16, mainly Sunday League and then playing indoor five-a-side with work teams and then starting here. Getting older, your knees are knackered, your hips start to hurt, and I’ll know when it’s time to stop, but I’ve still got some time left to enjoy it. I am still competitive, though, and old habits die hard. What I’ve enjoyed most is the friendship and meeting new people. We’ve all become friends. We talk about all kinds of things.”

For many who thought football was finished for them as a participation sport due to fitness and age, it’s far from the case. Walking football is a sport played by those who’ve never kicked a ball before through to those skilled enough to play for their country, often on the same pitch. The game may be growing faster than its participants are allowed to move, but it’s never too late to enjoy the thrill of kicking a ball around with like-minded people.

【推荐3】In the United States alone, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted each year according to the nonprofit organization Feeding America. Yet, over 44 million Americans go hungry every day. If this seems like a huge gap, this is due both to the process of distributing the food and to the food waste that affects the world’s ability to sufficiently raise its entire population. However, several New York City(NYC) communities have found an effective way to reduce food waste—community fridges.

These fridges represent a grassroots way to increase access to food and fight against food waste. The community fridges offer a way for people to give fresh food that they will not eat to others who need it. They first surfaced in New York City in 2020. These community fridges offer a ray of hope to people who were struggling to afford or find food during supply chain issues and rising food prices.

Community fridges offer a way for food that would otherwise be wasted to be redistributed. However, another wonderful effect of reducing food waste is the ability to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. As food gets bad in landfills, it gives off methane, which is the second most common greenhouse gas. This means that food waste is responsible for up to ten percent of global emissions—which is a pretty large number! Placing food that would otherwise go uneaten in a community fridge can help to reduce these emissions.

Although there are some negative side effects of community fridges, their benefits usually outweigh their negatives. Volunteers clean and maintain the fridges. Some community fridge nonprofits even use renewable energy to power the refrigerators. Although the community fridge may be misused by some, these instances are sparse. Now, the idea of the community fridge has spread. These fridges, also known as “friendly fridges”, will be found in cities throughout the United States.

【推荐3】“Good morning, passengers! Welcome aboard Bus No. 38.” At 6:30 AM, the cool morning breeze blows as Feng Zhiliang, a 43-year-old driver with 15 years’ experience at Handan Public Transport, greets the first passengers. Seated in the driver’s cab, he fastens his seatbelt, ready to set off.

Feng’s recent viral video comes from his bilingual (双语的) stop announcements in Chinese and English, captivating netizens. Some remark, “It’s like a luxurious flight for just two yuan!”, praising Handan’s harmonious combination of tradition and modernity.

This transformation started when Feng greeted a group of foreign passengers with “Hello. Happy New Year!” during the Spring Festival. Encouraged by their positive feedback, he saw an opportunity to serve the many foreigners riding his bus. Determined to improve communication, Feng started an English learning journey.

Starting from zero, he was buried in online courses, sought English materials, and used translation software to enhance his skills. Today, his bilingual announcements reflect his dedication and Handan’s cultural charm.

Each evening, after dropping off his last passengers, Feng returned home around 9:00 pm, exhausted but determined. Despite his tiredness, he’d continue studying for an hour, even making the best of his 20-minute break.

Inspired by his colleagues and after three years of unstopped preparation, Feng boldly tried bilingual announcements during peak hours in early 2023. Initially nervous, he received overwhelming encouragement from passengers, strengthening his resolve to make bilingual announcements an essential part.

“Taking that first step was discouraging, but the positive feedback fueled my passion,” Feng recalled. “It’s become a goal and a cherished wish.”

Now, over a year and a half later, Feng’s bilingual announcements have gathered a devoted fan base. Passengers eagerly board the No. 38 bus to immerse themselves in his enriching language experience, while parents bring their children along for the educational ride. Feng’s dedication has transformed his routine bus rides into linguistic adventures, captivating hearts and minds alike.