【推荐1】Reptiles, like snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are egg-laying animals. The species are cold-blooded, which means their bodies have the same temperature as the area around them. A recent report says that more than one-fifth of the world’s reptiles are at risk of going extinct.

The study, written by 52 scientists, is the first worldwide measurement of how threatened different species of reptiles are. For 15 years, between 2004 and 2019, researchers collected information on over 10,000 different kinds of reptiles. They gathered details from over 900 reptile experts around the world.

The report has revealed some unhappy news — 21% of all reptile species are in danger of extinction. That’s over 1,800 species in all. The study reported that at least 31 species of reptiles have already gone extinct. The main reason these reptiles are faced with extinction is that humans are taking over more and more of their natural habitats. More land continues to be cleared to make room for cities and towns. Large areas of land are also being cleared so that they can be used as farmland. Logging is another big threat to reptile habitats.

But even if reptiles aren’t considered lovely, they play a very important part in nature’s food chains. One service performed by reptiles humans should appreciate is that they are natural enemies to certain pests, like insects and rats, and therefore helping control their numbers.

Scientists say the good news is that we know what must be done to protect reptiles. Bruce Young, one of the leaders of the research, says, “We have all the tools we need. Protecting natural areas, especially rainforests, is at the top of the list. Studies show that saving natural areas doesn’t just protect mammals or birds, but all kinds of animals, including reptiles.”

【推荐2】Lake Mary Jane in central Florida, where people living along the lake like to go boating and swimming and watch the wildlife, is under pressure from development. Orange County, which surrounds the lake, is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida. A development planned for a site just north of Mary Jane would transform nineteen hundred acres of wetlands and cypress forest into homes.

In an effort to protect herself, Mary Jane is suing (起诉). The lake has filed a case (立案) in Florida state court, stressing that the development would negatively impact the lake, causing concrete, distinct, and visible injuries. Mary Jane’s case is the first in American history. Never before has a lifeless slice of nature tried to defend its rights in the court. “It is long past time to recognize that we are dependent on nature and the continued destruction of nature needs to stop,” Mari Margil, director of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, said in a statement.

The concept that natural objects like woods and streams should have rights was first put forward half a century ago, by Christopher Stone, a law professor who was assigned to teach University of Southern California’s introductory course on property law in 1971. He explained how ownership rights had developed over time and why our natural objects like trees or even rocks should also be given rights. This little thought experiment set off a heated debate nationwide.

Each time there is a movement to give rights to some new things, the proposal is bound to sound odd or frightening or laughable. However, this extension of rights, Stone argued, was needed to address an unavoidable problem. So long as natural objects were valued only in terms of their worth to humans — for the use of humans they could, quite legally, be destroyed.

Despite the fact that the developer is pushing to have Mary Jane’s case dismissed, arguing that the rights the lake wants do not — and cannot — exist, people are starting taking Stone’s words seriously. Even Stone’s critics had fun with his idea. There’s no way to get back to the past. The lake’s wish is pretty clear: It just wants to be left alone.

【推荐3】Saving the environment might seem like a tall order, but living an environmentally friendly life is actually quite easy.     1     Read on for some practical tips on how a single individual can help save the environment.

Recycle

Recycling is a simplest lifestyle to lower the amount of environmental waste. Every resident can get involved by taking advantage of nearby recycling services.     2     For instance, some places may not accept glass, while others might require you to separate the different materials. If you dispose of something improperly, the whole load will likely be rejected and end up in a landfill.

Buy locally-sourced foods

Eating fresh, local food consumes less fuel and packaging materials. Shipping products by truck, rail, flight, or boat creates pollution and goes against an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Instead, shop at local farmers’ markets and grocery stores stocking locally-sourced products.     3     .

Cut back on driving

Applying alternate forms of transportation consumes less gasoline.     4     If that isn’t an option, consider organizing carpools or using public transportation. By doing this, you help reduce traffic jams and the overall amount of gasoline consumption. Also, combine multiple trips into one to help minimize the distance traveled and fuel consumed.

    5    

Advocacy allows more people to create a positive impact. Spread the word about environmental conservation by sharing some of the lifestyle changes you’ve made on social media and in conversations with people around, calling on everybody to play a role.

【推荐1】Author Tim O’Brien Recommends 4 of His Favorite Books

Tim O’Brien is the author of The Things They Carried, a collection of linked stories about Vietnam that has become a classic of war fiction. His new book, Dad’s Maybe Book, collects reflections he began years ago to share with his two young sons.

Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev (1862).

This has long been one of my favorite books, and I read it again this year. It’s the story of two fathers and two sons and their disappointment in each other. A son can never quite satisfy a father, a father can never quite satisfy a son.

First Love by Ivan Turgenev (1860).

This is a love story on its surface: A young man falls in love with a slightly older woman, not knowing she is his father’s lover. At the time, many Russians found it too light. I find nothing light about it.

The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor (1971).

O’Connor’s beautiful stories touch a place in my heart that’s rarely touched in fiction. There’s a subtle (微妙的) but strong religious thread: she’s always asking big questions—about where we come from, where do we go, and what is the purpose of human life.

The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway (1987).

I used these stories as a way of talking to my young sons about writing. It was fascinating to hear their responses. After reading The Killers, about two guys who go to a small town to hunt down a boxer, my older son wondered why anyone would want to be a boxer in the first place—don’t they get hit in the head? It wasn’t what Hemingway intended him to think about, but the reader brings his or her own concerns to a story. The author can only control so much.

【推荐2】In a world with so many countries, religions, tribes and customs, it is impossible for everyone to like everything. While we have come a long way since civilization began, some communities are stuck with age-old traditions.

Famadihana-dance with the dead

A funeral（葬礼）tradition followed by the Malagasy tribe in Madagascar, people dance with dead bodies as part of the Famadihana custom. After bringing bodies of ancestors from their burial place, they re-wrap them in fresh cloth and dance around the tomb to live music. The ritual is followed once in seven years, but has been in the decline.

Venezuela-don't show up on time

Venezuela are just like Indians! Reaching on time is considered rude in Venezuela and it is recommended to reach at least 15 minutes later than the scheduled time. Guests who reach on time are looked down upon as being too eager and greedy. Well, Venezuela should take some cue from Indians!

India-throw the baby for good luck

This custom is mostly followed in Karnataka where newborn babies are thrown off the 50-feet high above Sri Santeswar temple. The babies are obviously caught by the family in a cloth. Couples who are blessed with a baby take a vow at the temple following this 500-year-old tradition, which is believed to bring good luck to the babies.

Scotland-just blacken the bride

Having some fun before the wedding is great, but this pre-wedding custom in Scotland doesn't seem to have a lot of fun for the bride. The custom involves throwing eggs, spoilt milk and basically, all things disgusting at her. The "blackened bride" is then taken around the town. The custom is a metaphor for the tough life that the bride might have to go through after the wedding. The tradition prepares her for the new chapter as after going through this, all marital（婚姻的）problems will look tiny.

【推荐3】Our teen poetry workshops at Poets House are opportunities for writers in high school to create and explore poetry in one of the largest poetry libraries in the country. Young poets are given a chance to dig into the art and craft of poetry in a fun, creative and inspiring environment.

Join Dave Johnson Workshop

Join Dave Johnson Workshop to write daily new poems in only 10 minutes. Click the banner for two series of video poetry workshops where poet, playwright and educator Dave Johnson chooses a poet each day, and takes us through a close reading of their work. He gives us an instruction based on their work, then a short biography and reads an additional poem. These workshops are fun and surprising, for teens through adults, free.

The Thompson Foundation Initiative

The highlight of our teen poetry workshop program is the Thompson Foundation Initiative, through which noted poets visit high school classrooms followed by free follow-up class visits to Poets House. Recent teachers have included Dave Johnson, Jive Poetic, and Mahogany Browne. This initiative is meant to increase access to poetic education for under served schools and students by combining hands-on instruction from established poets with on-site visits to our extensive library. Students engage with poetry through reading, writing, and art projects that integrate the visual and linguistic.

If you are a teacher interested in this program, please reach out to Reggie Harris to arrange sessions for your class. Free class trips for all age levels are also available outside of this program.

Intensive Workshops for Teens

Advanced, individualized study is available periodically for students who want to continue writing poetry, through either our day-long or week-long intensive workshops.

·One-day workshops: Participation is free. All interested teens are encouraged to sign up.

·Week-long workshops: Participants are determined through an application process and an external judge; all interested high school students are encouraged to apply. Financial aid is available.