【推荐1】Far below every town and city lies an invisible network of pipes crucial to the lives of their residents. Once water disappears down a pipe or toilet, people rarely think about what happens to it. It’s out of sight, out of mind. The water flows into pipes that carry excess rainwater, wastewater and solid waste away, keeping the city clean.

There are three main types of sewers (下水道): sanitary (卫生的) sewers, storm sewers and combined sewers. Taipei has both sanitary and storm sewers where rainwater and sewage are collected using different pipes.

This sewer system functions as a city’s veins (静脉). Water containing human and industrial waste is collected in sanitary sewers and conveyed to sewage treatment plants, the heart of the sewer system, where waste is treated. There, the solid waste is separated from the water, which is then cleaned before being released back into the environment. It will be reused for industrial, agricultural or environmental purposes or to produce energy. Furthermore, the mud and gas from sewage treatment can be used to produce energy. They not only contribute to a healthy environment and good quality of life, but also achieve the goal of sustainable development.

While wastewater collection and treatment are critical to the health of urban residents, storm sewers also play an important role in the city. Green space has given way to concrete during the island’s rapid development and extensive building projects over the past few decades. As a consequence, there has been a loss of the land’s natural water as concrete cannot absorb rainwater. When an extreme weather event like a severe storm or typhoon brings heavy rain, storm sewers must cope with the water, so it does not flood the city. However, storm sewers are only part of the measures for water management and flood prevention.

To reduce flooding, an integrated urban drainage management plan has been adopted, where all the factors-storm sewers, land planning and economic development — are considered together. Engineering innovations, additional flood discharge facilities and increased green space requirements in new development projects have improved water maintaining in cities.

Who knew that sewers help improve urban public health, prevent urban flooding and boost environmental protection? Together they protect vital water resources and maintain the safety of people and property.

【推荐3】There has been a dramatic increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years, and it is assumed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in the future. Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.

London

London’s flood defences are getting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水闸)has protected the city from the threat of flooding, but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every two or three years. About 26 years later, the barrier now closes five or six times a year and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier will be closed on almost every tide if the problem is not addressed.

There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16 hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property in London’s flood risk area, so large scale flooding would be disastrous.

Paris

Over a six­week period in July and August 2003, more than 11, 400—mainly elderly people—died in France from dehydration(脱水)and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity(强度)are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?

One solution is to have air­conditioners installed in elderly care homes. But this is considered a short­term solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions(排放)．

In Paris the local authorities are encouraging architects to design new types of buildings such as the building “Flower Tower”, which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural air­conditioner.

Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the fastest growing cities on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.

An estimated 250，000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption. China relies heavily on coal­fired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.

【推荐3】How Arts Contribute to Our Economy

When it comes to arts, most people tend to imagine the end product, beautiful paintings, wonderful pieces of music, or award-winning performances in the theater. But arts groups bring broader value to communities.     1    .

The arts create jobs that help develop the economy. Any given performance takes a tour bus full of artists, technical experts, managers, musicians, or writers to create an appealing piece of art.    2    . Another group of folks is needed to help market the event. Digital media experts, photographers, booking agents and promoters(推广者) are hired to sell tickets and promote the event.

    3    . Here is an example. In 2005, when the Bishop Arts Theatre was donated to a town in Dallas, the location was considered a poor area. After putting more than $1 million in reconstructing the building, they began producing a full season of theater performances, jazz concerts, and year-round arts education programs. Soon, waves of jazz lovers flooded in to enjoy an evening. Then, came a series of work force outside the arts industry, including accountants, marketers, hotel managers, printers, and other kinds of workers.     4    .

Definitely, arts are efficient economic drivers when supported. It’s wrong to have prejudice against majors in art and assume arts groups cannot make a profit. But to stay in business, arts groups must produce returns.     5    . But those who truly understand the economic effect and can work to change the patterns can create a wide range of career possibilities.

【推荐1】Who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams (1860 ~ 1935)

Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She created shelters, education opportunities and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Angela Merkel (1954 ~)

In 2005, Germans chose Angela Merkel as their first woman head of the country. She once worked as a research scientist until 1989. Then she entered politics and has been widely described as Iron Lady in Germany. She was elected as the most powerful woman by the Times in 2015. As Germany's leader, she has had an effect on the whole world.

Margaret Thatcher (1925 ~ 2013)

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first woman Prime Minister (首相). She served until 1990, which made her the first British leader to serve three terms in a row. Because of her high standards and strong will, people called her Britain's Iron Lady.

Marie Curie (1867 ~ 1934)

Polish-born scientist Marie Curie discovered that some types of metal give off energy called radiation(辐射能).Her research led to new medical treatments and arms. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911.

【推荐2】Disasters are like a mirror. They show both our bright and dark sides, as individuals and as a society. As citizens in China and beyond continue to fight against the coronavirus (新冠状病毒), the daily lives of many have gone through changes-from simple routine adjustments to complete devotion from volunteers.

People have consciously chosen to stay at home to prevent further human-to-human spread. However, that didn’t stop employees and students from working and studying at home. On Feb 17, the scheduled first school day, many teachers started to give online lessons. Bored at home, many people began to learn new things to fill their newly-found time, such as baking or knitting.

The film named Contagion, 2011 shows the worst-case that might happen after a worldwide epidemic. Fortunately, the situation in China couldn’t be more different than the movie. Rather than violence and food shortage, everything has worked out rather well in China so far. Scientists isolated (分离) the first virus strain, more than 30, 000 medical workers in over 100 medical teams gathered and thousands of construction workers came to build hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei province. Thousands of volunteers are working nonstop to help deliver supplies and assist the affected regions.

Sociologists once debated whether volunteer service is common to see around the world. Indeed, more than 30 years of research— exploring disasters in Europe, Asia, and America — confirmed that the need to help is universal wherever disaster strikes.

“It’s normal that when disasters happen, people will fall into panic. In reality, we’ re more likely to rush in to hep others than run them over to save ourselves,” wrote American psychologist Kelly Caldwell in Pacific Standard. “It’s an exercise in mass healing.”

【推荐3】It was just a normal day for Ruth Miller, a 63-year-old woman until everything went horribly wrong. She was walking lo her car after shopping when the unthinkable happened.

Right as she was unlocking her car, a man quickly came up behind her and tried to wrestle her purse away. She was in shock. Luckily she remembered she had her Safe Personal Alarm SPA on her purse, and since she was too scared to scream for help, she quickly reached for the alarm and pulled the pin (保险栓). Immediately her SPA started just screaming. The man didn’t know what to do! He froze for a second, and then ran away like a bat out of hell!

SPA is a safety device capable of creating a 125db sound that attracts attention and scares away potential attackers. To compare, it’s the same volume as a military jet during takeoff.

Paul Davidson, the inventor of SPA, knows all too well the type of situation that Ruth found herself in. But that’s not the only type of situation that SPA helps protect against. Parents can give it to their kids as an extra means of protection. Teenagers can use it so they can feel safe walking home. Women can know it’s there when they have to use the parking lot at night. My mother, who is 76 years old, carries it around in case she falls and needs to ask people for help. I only wish I’d have thought of it earlier,” said Paul.

The police have been recommending SPA since it first hit the market. In fact, since its launch, SPA has been in a state, shifting between in stock to sold out nearly every other week, and it’s also got tons of loyal followers worldwide.

【推荐1】94-year-old Suttie Economy plans to be buried in what looks like a pack of Juicy Fruit gum (口香糖) when he dies.

Economy’s love affair with Juicy Fruit goes back to his days in the service, when chewing gum producer Wrigley sent its products to troops overseas. Since then, Economy has become something of a self-appointed goodwill ambassador for the brand.

Sammy Oakey, president of Oakey’s Funeral Service and Economy have a friendship that goes back 45 years. After Economy recently suffered heart attacks, he approached his longtime friend with a request: When his time came, he wanted to be buried in a coffin (棺材) painted to resemble his trademark gum. Oakey immediately called Wrigley’s but they gave Oakey’s request a thumbs-down.

Actually, unusual burial requests are nothing new. Comic book author Mark Gruenwald’s ashes were mixed with ink that was used into a first-edition printing of Squadron Supreme. Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s ashes were shot out, while James Doohan, known to fans as Star Trek’s “Scotty”, had his remains sent into space.

Knowing how important the chewing-gum-themed coffin was to Economy, Oakey didn’t give up the fight. He managed to contact Mars Wrigley’s top boss.

Happily for all concerned, Oakey renewed his request to the powers that be and met with success. In an e-mail from the company president, he was told the company would go along with whatever the family wanted to do.

Not only did the gum company give their biggest fan’s final gift, they also sent Economy’s family 250 packs of Juicy Fruit as a thank you for his lifelong brand love.

Economy has actually taken a turn for the better. We don’t know whether his improved condition is due to the “Juicy Fruit” effect, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from this story, it’s if you think outside the box —and ask nicely —sometimes you can take it with you.

【推荐3】I was cutting up lettuce in the kitchen when I suddenly remembered watching a video about soaking the lettuce stub (残余部分) in water to grow a whole new vegetable. So I took out a wide-mouthed mug and placed the stub into it, gave it a little water, and placed it by the window.

On a snowy morning, I noticed the first sign. A first small leaf from its heart spread out. A tiny green flag of hope. Beaten, but not defeated. This lettuce was not done living! Within days, it was impossible to see the cuts where I had removed the leaves. The growth was explosive. And when I lifted the blossoming head out of the mug (大杯), tiny root threads fell down, seeking for the earth. What is growing here? Lettuce or hope?

If I were a lettuce in a similar condition, I’d want to skeptically assess where I found myself before committing to full growth. Yet for this lettuce, my inadequate offering of water and a place by a window was enough for it to decide to reclaim itself again. It grew in a mug of water, in faith. This is the heart of this lettuce: alive, strong and fearless. It deserved a name. I decided to call it Monty.

Monty wanted to grow, as we all do. I think I gave him a little love and freedom. Those two ingredients were all he needed to return to himself. I see joy in this lettuce. The return to self is always an expression of joy, which is life itself. With the right ingredients, this is the tendency of all living things.

Monty still lives in a mug, but I’m going to transplant him outside. He deserves to become his full self. The only problem I see now is my capacity to support Monty. I hope I have enough of a green finger.

I’m surprised to find myself where I am. Maybe Monty is, too. I have the same choice as he does: give in and decay (腐败), or start again. The prospect of starting again is discouraging. But my lettuce-friend, Monty, leads the way. I can only hope to be as brave.