【推荐1】There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example—where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled, and disturbed. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were dying; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed (跳动) with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices, there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and wetlands.

Rachel Carson was a scientist by profession. But these lines from the opening chapter of her 1962 book Silent Spring, A Fable for Tomorrow, show her talent as a writer. By imagining a world without birds, she aimed to alert not only the scientific community but also the public to the damaging effects of human activity on ecosystems—in particular, to the harmful use of pesticides, such as DDT. She believed that the chemical industry was knowingly causing harm to plants, animals and even humans, and wished to see pesticides used in a more responsible, limited and carefully monitored way.

Carson urged people to make themselves aware of the facts and do something about the situation. Silent Spring contains a lot of scientific research and case studies. The book details the gypsy moth wipeout programme, which killed birds. The Book also gives examples of other wipeout programmers that did nothing to reduce the problems they were originally designed to solve.

Carson’s message caused a great increase in environmental awareness. Its impact was immediate and far-reaching: The use of DDT was banned and the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)was established in the US. Silent Spring was therefore regarded as a milestone in the launch of the green movement in the Western world.

Her book not only changed the world; half a century later it remains a book that deserves to be reread today. Unless we do listen to Rachel Carson’s warning, one day we may wake up to the strange and quiet horror of another silent spring.

【推荐2】A WeChat mini-program for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games was officially launched on July 2.     1     And it will also change their low-carbon behaviors such as walking, bike riding, as well as bus and subway taking, into “carbon points” in their accounts, which can be exchanged for some awards.

    2     For example, a user can get 0.02 carbon points per step, up to 200 points per day, 174 points for participating in the “clear your plate” campaign each time, and 209 points for taking a bus. Quantifying (量化) low-carbon activities with carbon points enables the public to gradually develop a green and low-carbon lifestyle.     3    

To actively respond to the global climate change, reducing carbon emission and achieving carbon neutrality (碳中和) has become a must in major international sports events.     4     The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games made an even bolder move by launching a nationwide low-carbon campaign and developing a mini-program for the public to help reduce carbon emission.

The Beijing 2022 has always remained committed to being green, low-carbon and sustainable, from its bidding to preparation.     5     All venues are constructed under the national green building standards.

【推荐3】According to a new USDA(the U.S.Department of Agriculture)report,U.S.forests could worsen global warming because they are being destroyed by natural disasters and are losing their ability to absorb planet-warming gases as they get older.The report predicts that the ability of forests to absorb carbon will start declining after 2025 and that forests could release up to 100 million metric tons of carbon a year as their emissions from decaying(腐烂)trees go above their carbon absorption.Forests could become a“substantial carbon source”by 2070,the USDA report says.

The loss of carbon absorption is driven in part by natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes,which are increasing in frequency and strength as global temperatures rise.The disasters destroy forestland,destroying its ecosystem and decreasing its ability to absorb carbon,according to Lynn Riley,a senior manager of climate science at the American Forest Foundation.Aging forests also contribute.The report found that older,mature trees absorb less carbon than younger trees of the same species,and U.S.forests are rapidly aging.

This trend is likely to continue,as forests come under increasing threat from climate change and exploitation(开采).The typical tropical forest may become a carbon source by the 2060s,according to Simon Lewis,professor in the school of geography at Leeds University. “Humans have been lucky so far,as tropical forests are cleaning up lots of our pollution,but they can’t keep doing that indefinitely,”he said.“We need to cut down fossil fuel emissions before the global carbon cycle starts working against us.”

U.S.forests currently absorb 11 percent of U.S.carbon emissions,or 150 million metric tons of carbon a year,equal to the combined emissions from 40 coal power plants,according to there port.The loss of forests as natural carbon absorbers will require the U.S.to cut emissions more rapidly to reach net zero.“As we work to decarbonize(碳减排),forests are one of the greatest tools.If we were to lose that tool,it means we will contribute that much more in emissions,”Riley said.

【推荐1】I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. Wanting to find the owner, I opened it, but it only contained 3 dollars and an old crumpled envelope. I opened the letter and saw a return address and dateline...1924.It had been written 60 years ago. It was a "Dear John" letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him. It was signed Hannah.

I called information, maybe there was a phone listing for the address. The operator hesitantly told me there was a number, but the best she could do was call it and see if they wanted to be connected. I learned that Hannah was now living in a Nursing Home and was given the number.

It seemed silly ,wanting to contact someone over a letter written 60 years ago, but I felt impelled.I was told that Hannah was there and though it was fairly late, I followed my instinct and went to see her.

She was a sweet silver-haired lady with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye.I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. She took a deep breath and said. "Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael."

She said softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only 16 at the time and my mother felt I was too young. If you should find him, tell him I still love him." With tears in her eyes she told me she had never married because no one had matched up to him in her heart.

I thanked her and left. As I was waiting by the elevator , the nurse there asked. "Was Hannah able to help you?" I'd taken out the wallet as she was speaking and she said "Hey, wait a minute That's Michael Goldstein's wallet. I'd recognize it anywhere; he's always losing it."

My hands began to shake. "Who's Michael Goldstein?" I asked." One of the residents on the 8th floor. That's his wallet for sure." I dashed up to the 8th floor and the nurse on duty told me he was still in the day room.

We went into the day room and as soon as Michael saw the wallet,   a smile of relief crossed his face. I confessed I'd read the letter in an attempt to find the owner of the wallet. The smile on his face disappeared.

＂But I think you'll be happy I did," I said. I think I know where Hannah is. He grew pale. "Where is she? How is she? Please tell me." he begged. "She's fine," I said quietly. "I was so in love with that girl and when that letter came, my life came to a halt. I never married. I guess I've always loved her."

I asked him to come with me and took him down to the 3rd floor where Hannah was sitting alone, watching television. The floor nurse pointed to Michael. "Do you know this man, Hannah?" She adjusted her glasses but didn't speak. Michael whispered. "Hannah. it's me, Michael. Do you remember me?"

She gasped."Michael. Michael, I don't believe it. It's you! My Michael." They walked towards one another and embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces.

About three weeks later I got a call from the nursing home. "Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!"

It was a beautiful wedding with all the people at the nursing home joining in the celebration. I was the best man! The hospital gave them their own room and if you ever wanted to see a 76-year-old bride and a 79-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple. A perfect ending for a love affair that had lasted nearly 60 years.

【推荐3】Elaine Su shared her experience of asking her neighbors to put up Lunar New Year decorations, helping her two-year-old son experience the festival as part of the large community. In a neighbourhood mostly consisting of non-Chinese residents, more than half of the households complied the tradition as well.

Interviewing her for the story provoked my own memories of celebrating Lunar New Year. The holiday was a big deal for me as a kid growing up in Jiangsu.

Legend says the holiday originated with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian, who came down from the mountains to hunt people on New Year’s Eve. Villagers discovered that Nian feared the colour red, candle light and loud noise. So they began to decorate with the vibrant hue, light their homes with lanterns and set off firecrackers to prevent its return.

On New Year’s Eve, my family would come together to celebrate with food prepared by my grandma. Moments before the countdown, the sound of firecrackers would fill every corner of our apartment and the celebrations continued into the next day.

For breakfast, we would eat yuan xiao, a kind of glutinous rice ball, which symbolizes the idea of reunion. Then, it was off to visit my grandparents, who were already awaiting us and my other extended family with lucky money and more traditional delicacy!

My favourite part of the holiday came after the adults were playing mahjong. My cousins and I were finally freed from our parents. With all the lucky money, we hit the streets and bought more snacks and more firecrackers!

Having immigrated to Canada for years, I further lost touch with my Chinese culture as I gradually dived into my new life in a new country. Maybe it’s time for me, like her, to reclaim Lunar New Year.