China officially informed the World Trade Organization on Tuesday that it will ban the import of 24 different types of solid waste by the end of this year as part of a campaign to deal with environmental pollution and protect people’s health.
In response to growing public concerns over the potential environmental and health danger caused by the increasing amounts of solid waste imported into the country for recycling and treatment, China passed a special law in 1995 to control imports of waste materials, such as plastics, slag from steelmaking, unsorted scrap paper and discarded textile materials.
A year later, the country published a list for solid waste imports and began implementing a permit system to control the import volumes and types of waste imported.
However, due to the lack of effective supervision(监管) and the failure of relevant departments to fulfill their duties, solid waste imports have not been effectively controlled.
So far, China is the world’s largest importer of solid waste. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, China imported 7.3 million metric tons of plastic waste worth $3.7 billion in 2016, accounting for 56 percent of global imports of solid waste.
Correct recycling of solid waste materials is an important part of the global economy, and moderate imports of scrap plastic, scrap paper and scrap rubber products, such as vehicle tires, can to some extent, make up for China's shortage of various raw materials.
However, the lack of supervision has resulted in the country’s severe soil and environmental worsening.
Given that China’s continuing efforts to push for industrial transformation and upgrading have resulted in a noticeable decline in the demand for the materials recycled from solid waste imports. It is right for the country to restrict such imports for the sake of the environment and public health, and to better adapt to the changed industrial structure.
1. Why will China ban the import of some waste materials?| A．The amount of imported solid waste is increasing. |
| B．The demand for imported solid waste is in decline. |
| C．Some solid waste has damaged the environment and public health. |
| D．People are more concerned about the environment and health now. |
| A．Carrying out. | B．Putting off. |
| C．Calling off. | D．Fighting against. |
| A．Some imported waste is difficult to control. |
| B．The environment can’t afford the imported waste. |
| C．Some departments haven’t shouldered their duties. |
| D．Some useful materials are also among the solid waste. |
| A．China will not rely on importing solid waste any more. |
| B．Solid waste plays an important part in the global economy. |
| C．People are against importing solid waste from developed countries. |
| D．Some imported waste can relieve the urgent need for raw materials. |
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However, the same countries that signed the Paris Agreement have not cut their emissions enough to meet its targets. The consequences are catastrophic. Climate-related disasters are proliferating, from Pakistan, much of which was flooded by this summer’s unusually intense season wind, to Florida, which in September endured its deadliest hurricane since 1935.
The response to all this should be a dose of realism. Many activists are reluctant to admit that 1.5℃ is a lost cause. They need to be more practical and face up to some hard truths.
First, cutting emissions will require much more money. Roughly speaking, global investment in clean energy needs to triple from today’s $1bn a year, and be concentrated in developing countries. So their governments will have to work with the rich world to mobilize private investment, which will involve big improvements to the investment climate and an acceptance that they will have to cede some control over energy policy. Another truth is that fossil fuels will not be abandoned overnight, especially in some poorer countries, precisely because they cannot come up with any immediate alternative.
The third truth is that greater efforts must be made to adapt to climate change. Adaptation has always been the neglected step-child of climate policy, mistrusted by activists as a distraction from cutting emissions or, worse, an excuse not to make any cuts. But no matter what, the world now faces more floods, droughts, storms and wildfires. For developing countries especially, but also for rich ones, preparing for these disasters is a matter of life and death.
1. What is the purpose of the conference in Paris?| A．To revise the Paris Agreement. | B．To assist the low-lying countries. |
| C．To analyse the average temperature. | D．To approve the new climate change policy. |
| A．Increasing. | B．Disappearing. | C．Varying. | D．Responding. |
| A．Power over energy policy. | B．Investment and cooperation. |
| C．An instant ban on fossil fuels. | D．Less involvement from developing countries. |
| A．It is a cost-cutting measure. | B．It has failed to be noticed. |
| C．It has been widely accepted. | D．It is a distraction for emission cut. |
【推荐2】I don’t think I can recall a time when I wasn’t aware of the beauty of the ocean. Growing up in Australia, I had the good fortune to have the sea at my side. The first time I went to Half Moon Bay, I was struck by the magnificent scenery.
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1. What can we know about Australian marine life according to the passage?2. Why did Angus and the author create a little video?
3. 文本解读
Protect the Coral Sea
Para. 1
I
Para. 2
I am shocked that the Coral Sea within Australian waters lacks
Para. 3
To protect the Coral Sea I
Para. 4
Angus and I
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1. What wasn’t expected by the public according to the text?| A．The Manneken Pis was environmentally unfriendly. |
| B．The calculation of Regis Callens was not correct. |
| C．The system was created to send water back to the boy. |
| D．The city’s sewers were blocked because of the statue. |
| A．The solution was useful to local people. |
| B．Water waste will become more serious. |
| C．Citizens are encouraged to protect the statue. |
| D．The system will be used widely in the future. |
| A．A Popular Tourist Attraction | B．A Water-saving Statue |
| C．A Water Meter in the Statue | D．A Solution to Water Waste |
