【推荐2】Modern humans have only been around for some 300,000 years. That's just a flash in earth history. Still, we've left our mark on the planet, We've changed Earth's terrain（地形）and its chemistry. We've also affected the diversity, abundance and biomass（生物量）of many other species.

For example, between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago, half of Earth's large mammal（哺乳动物）species died out. Human activities, such as hunting or destroying habitats, seem to have largely driven that extinction. That's what a 2014 study concluded, at least. It is estimated that over humanity's history, 90 percent of animal biomass has disappeared.

The plant kingdom has taken a similar hit. Its mass has declined by half since humans began wandering the planet. Today, 43 percent of Earth's trees grow in the tropics. But human-caused climate change has been warming the high latitudes faster than the rest of the planet. As a result, more plants can move in and grow there. However, climate change and the cutting down of greenery at tropical sites have made some of those sites drier. So even if more land is warm enough to support trees, the total biomass of trees will fall.

By 2050,earth may host 9.7 billion people. Our human biomass by then still won't outweigh bacteria. But the balance of animals and plants may continue to shift so that we'll have even more livestock and crops and even less wildlife. This means the variety of life on Earth will decline. And that can be bad for the health of habitats.

Biomass studies such as these are one way to project what the future may look like, and how quickly major changes in species or ecosystems may occur. They also help us understand the role people are playing in these changes. That could help us learn what organisms（big or small）most need protecting.

【推荐1】Heritage sites of outstanding and universal value located along the African coast are at threat of rising sea levels, and increased climate change adaptation is urgently needed for the protection of the heritage sites, according to research.

The research, published last week by the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative, indicated that more heritage areas are exposed to flooding compared with erosion. Findings showed that 56 of 284 identified African heritage sites are at risk of a 100-year coastal extreme event. Furthermore, the researchers project the number of exposed sites to more than triple by 2050.

Michalis Vousdoukas, scientific officer at the European Commission and lead author of the report, said the Loss of forts and castles along the coast would have strong consequences not only for the people living in their neighborhood, but also the international community. He said many of the sites are deeply connected with peoples’ identity and tradition, and they are essential for social well-being, safe-guarding traditional knowledge and livelihoods.

The research findings highlight the urgent need for increased climate change adaptation for heritage sites in Africa, including governance and management approaches, site-specific vulnerability assessments, exposure monitoring and protection strategies. The findings also indicated that reducing greenhouse gas emissions would result in a 21 percent reduction of the median exposed area, as well as 25 percent fewer sites that would be highly exposed by the end of the century.

The National Museums of Kenya, a state corporation that manages cultural and natural heritage, is working with communities to conserve sites that are threatened by coastal flooding and erosion. Fatma Twahir, the chief curator （负责人） of heritage site Fort Jesus in Kenya’s coastal Mombasa city, told Kenya News Agency that the National Museums of Kenya has partnered with the cultural protection fund to train curators and communities living near the heritage sites to keep them safe.

【推荐2】If the poems you read at school made you think poetry is old-fashioned, here are four poets whose work will make you look at poetry in a different way.

Brian Bilston

Brian Bilston’s poetry is definitely more relevant to today’s issues. He covers subjects such as climate change, modern technology and international events. Although Brian uses rhyme in some of his work, it is extremely effective, especially as so many are humorous poems. He has a skill for word play. He also shares his poems online, making them more accessible to today’s audience.

Ada Limón

Ada is a well-known American poet, and has released several collections of poetry. Her poems are deeply rooted in nature, emotion and relatable metaphors (比喻). Her work feels like a natural progression from the poetry covered in schools. There is still an artistic weaving and careful placement of words, but the messages and inner meanings are more suitable for a modern audience.

Tracy K Smith

Tracy was the winner of the Best First Book by an African American poet, with her 2003 collection, The Body’s Question. Her poems cover important issues around race, family, going beyond from childhood into adulthood and much more. Each is easy to understand and relate to, while at the same time, deeply personal. She has a natural talent for connecting with her audience.

Mel Wardle Woodend

Mel has several published collections including two books for children, making poetry more accessible to them. She also has a collection called Just a Thought, which raises awareness of mental health issues. This topic was rarely discussed at school, so Mel’s work is progressive and inviting to those who may not tick the typical boxes of someone who enjoys poetry.

【推荐3】New Year’s Day is meant for food. As the new year arrives around the world, there could be special cakes and breads, for example, long noodles representing long life, field peas representing coins, and pigs representing good luck. The particulars vary, but the general theme is the same: Enjoy food and drink to bring in a year of prosperity. Here are some of the New Year’s food traditions around the world.

Hoppin’ John, American South

A major New Year’s food tradition in the American South, Hoppin’ John is a dish of pork-flavored field peas or black-eyed peas — symbolizing coins — and rice, frequently served with cooked greens — as they’re the color of money and cornbread—the color of gold. The dish is said to bring good luck in the new year.

Twelve grapes, Spain

The people of Spain traditionally watch a broadcast from Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where people gather in front of the square’s clock tower to ring in the New Year. Those out in the square and those watching at home take part in an unusual annual tradition: At the stroke of midnight, they eat one grape for every toll of the clock bell. Some even get their grapes ready — peeling and seeding them — to make sure they will be as efficient as possible when mid-night comes.

Tamales, Mexico

Tamales, corn dough filled with meat, cheese and other delicious additions and wrapped in a banana leaf or a corn husk, make appearances at pretty much every special occasion in Mexico. In many families, groups of women gather together to make hundreds of the little packets to hand out to friends, family and neighbors.

Soba noodles, Japan

In Japanese households, families cat buckwheat soba noodles, or toshikoshi soba, at mid-night on New Year’s Eve to say goodbye to the year gone by and welcome the year to come. The tradition dates back to the 17th century, and the long noodles symbolize longevity and prosperity.