High level of deforestation continues
We are all aware of the threats our planet is facing. Experts agree that it’s mainly us humans who are responsible for the destruction of the environment. One of the most destructive activities we are carrying out is cutting down forests - deforestation. This is done for many reasons, such as providing wood for fuel, making land available for housing or for crating space for more cattle to graze(吃草) on. This has been most noticeable in Brazil, which is home to the world’s largest rainforest. Deforestation there has hit its highest rate in a decade, according to official data. Over the course of a year, an area about five times the size of London has been destroyed.
The amount of deforestation in the Amazon and in other tropical(热带的) regions has actually seen a decline but the figures are still large. Global Forest Watch say that in 2018, an area equivalent to 30 football fields were cut down every minute. Frances Seymour from the World Resources Institute says that “If you look back over the last 18 years, it is clear that the overall trend is still upwards. We are nowhere near winning this battle.”
What’s special about places like the Amazon is that they are primary forests which exist in their original condition with some species of trees dating back thousands of years. This habitat is home to unique and rare animals and is critical for sustaining biodiversity(生物多样性). The BBC’s environment correspondent, Matt McGrath, says “These old forests really matter as stores of carbon dioxide, which is way the loss of 3.6 million hectares in 2018 is concerning.”
Brazil has taken some steps to try and decrease deforestation by introducing government policies including fines for breaking land use regulations and illegal logging. And International campaigns to stop the trade of soy and beef farmed on deforested parts of the Amazon have also had a significant impact.
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Microplastics: Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
People joke that someone suffering from paranoia (妄想症) sees danger everywhere, thinking someone is out to get him. In the case of microplastics, you don’t need to have paranoia to be worried about them being everywhere, because they basically are!
What exactly are microplastics? They are particles (颗粒) of any type of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in diameter (直径). They have resulted from the plastic pollution widespread in the world today.
When plastic is exposed to environmental forces, it breaks down into these tiny particles, which, in turn, do not disappear but continue to exist for hundreds or even thousands of years. Every piece of plastic that has ever been made is still on Earth today, except for what has been burned. Often mistaken for food, plastics and microplastics in oceans and on beaches are often consumed by marine animals, which is harmful. Research has linked microplastics to cancer and other problems in animals.
Whatever you think about these particles, taking them in is easier than you think. When you heat food in a plastic dish in the microwave, microplastics get into your food. The water from a plastic water bottle contains the particles as well. After taking surveys of microplastics in air, water and seafood, scientists estimate that people may easily be eating 5 grams of plastic a week. Researchers don’t know yet if or how this will affect humans. Microplastics have been found in human tissue samples, and no one yet knows how long they stay in the human body or what problems may arise.
Not until the amount of plastic waste in the world is reduced will microplastics decrease. So, while the evidence is still missing of the effect microplastics have on people’s health, reusing and recycling plastic is a no-brainer.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Scottish summers set to keep getting warmer, study shows
Cold, wet summers could become a thing of the past in Scotland, according to a new study. Researchers from Edinburgh and Oxford universities and the Met Office, the UK’s official weather service, say that summer temperatures of 30°C could become common in the future because of climate change.
Climate change is long-term changes in the world’s weather patterns, including rising temperatures. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), farming and cutting down forests are a major cause of changing weather patterns around the world. When fossil fuels are burned, for example, they release gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases are called greenhouse gases. Their emissions contribute to climate change.
People experienced hot and dry conditions during a heatwave in the summer of 2018. The team found that climate change would lead to those conditions becoming more frequent in Scotland. Lead researcher Professor Simon Tett, from Edinburgh University, said that carbon dioxide emissions had to be cut around the world in order to prevent this from getting worse.
The study also looked into the direct effects of the unusual weather in 2018 on people, animals and landscapes in Scotland. Among these were a thirty per cent increase in demand for water, an increase in harmful insects such as flies and mosquitoes, and a fall in the amount of peas, potatoes, carrots and onions that were harvested. The populations of some types of birds declined because of a lack of water. There was also disturbance to trains because rails were bent by the heat.
Tett explained, “Despite its cool climate, Scotland must start to prepare now for the impact of high temperature extremes. The bottom line is that heatwaves have become more likely because of the climate change caused by human activities.”
许多饲养宠物的人和宠物关系亲密,他们视鸟、狗、猫等宠物为家里的一员。你觉得这种人与宠物的关系好吗？请说说你的看法,并举例说明你那样认为的理由。
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Building a Greener Future
Year after year, Earth's precious resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Still people need materials to build new houses, office buildings and schools. There's only one solution to this problem: do more with less. That's what sustainable construction is all about. Advocates of sustainable construction believe the entire building process can be done without harming the environment, and by doing so, the earth is kept sustainable for future generations. To make these green buildings possible, however, the process must be implemented from the beginning.
Picture a city government that wants to build a green office building. The first thing these city planners would do is select a site with a small environmental impact. Ideally, they would choose a site that had already been developed, thus keeping the forests and grasslands protected.
Next, city planners would turn their attention toward the construction process. Only green materials could be used to build their office towers. These include wood, steel, and other materials that have been recycled from destroyed buildings. If possible, they have been manufactured, recovered, or resourced locally. The closer that these green materials are to the construction site, the less energy is wasted getting them to where they're needed.
Maintenance costs are the next important factors that need to be considered. City planners would design heating and cooling systems that use as little energy as possible. They would fit solar roof panels that will absorb the heat from the sun to power the building. Toilets and sinks designed to minimize water waste would be fitted throughout the building. These efficiencies don't just help to protect the environment; they can save money over the long run as well.
After all this was finished, the city planners would relax and maybe even throw a party. They have designed a building that was green at every step--the golden rule of sustainable construction.
The United States government list of endangered species includes alligators, tigers, grizzly bears, some kinds of whales, and over three dozen species of butterflies. What has led to the scarcity of these animals, which may become extinct without vital protection?
One important factor is that many animals have been widely hunted and killed for food and for their beautiful skins. In accordance with the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal in the United States to hunt, sell, or collect endangered species. Thus, an expensive fur coat made from a tiger killed in Asia cannot be legally sold to a wealthy matron in New York or San Francisco.
Some predators, which kill useful, more common animals, are threatened by farmers who are concerned that predators will carry off chickens and young sheep, and because of this fear they trapped and killed them.
The butterfly is an accidental victim of man’s effort to control his environment, For a long time collectors have searched for unusual specimens for their colorful butterfly collections; now, there is an additional, more Serious threat—widespread use of dangerous pesticides which farmers apply to their crops to control harmful insects.
With various animals being killed for food, for decoration, and for the protection of domesticated animals, or dying because of unfortunate contact with human environments, it is not surprising that some are becoming scarce, that the number of species on the endangered list is growing every year. Man is discovering that his world includes the other animals in it, and one can only hope his discovery is not coming too slowly or too late.
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The Call of Croatia
There is truly something for everyone in the nation of Croatia in southeastern Europe. The Islands
Those who love the ocean and a slow pace will fall in love with Croatia. It boasts over 1,000 islands in the Adriatic Sea along its coast. Though the choices are endless, many desire to visit the island of Pag. It’s famous for its parties but also features a resort and a carnival. A bridge from the European continent makes it very easy to get to. Hvar is also a popular island with its fragrant fields of flowers and good weather. Some hotels offer discounts if it rains and free rooms if it snows!
The parks
Croatia is also home to eight national parks, including the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes. It’s noted for its 16 colorful lakes and a series of waterfalls. Paklenica National Park offers something completely different — a landscape that doubles fort the Old West. Its wild lands are perfect for both mountain hikes and nature walks.
The cities
The natural beauty of Croatia should not keep visitors from its urban centers, though. Dubrovnik has been called “the pearl of the Adriatic” with its Old Town, a World Heritage Site. Its city walls are from another time, yet its cable cars are a modern way to experience the area. The capital, Zagreb, has the most museums per square meter in the world. Visit St. Mark’s Church, the Museum of Arts and Crafts or one of its many cafes.
The festivals
Croatia is also surprisingly well-known for its music festivals. Return to the party island of Pag for Electro Dance Madness. In its second year, the event has attracted thousands onto its dance platform over the sea. Croatia’s biggest open-air festival is Zagreb’s INmusic, which has received top international praise. Tickets are very reasonable, and its Lake Jarun location offers outdoor activities as well.
Midnight parties, urban explorers and nature lovers will all be at home in Croatia.
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Birdsong and Mental Health
People often turn to nature as a healthy way to cope with stress. People also consider it relaxing to listen to audio recordings of running water, waves or singing birds. Sound can have an extensive effect on our sense of well-being. Accordingly, scientists have long sought to understand the effects of certain sounds on people.
In a recent study, scientists evaluated the effect that hearing birdsong had on hikers. They monitored a number of hiking trails in a public park with audio recording devices. This helped them create a bird count in the area. They then surveyed visitors to those trails about their impression of bird diversity. They also asked for a report on the visitors' sense of well-being.
The next part of the study took place on the same trails. But the scientists used hidden speakers to play recordings of birds singing. That gave the impression that there were more birds in the area. They then surveyed visitors who had heard the recordings.
The results of the study indicated that there was a direct relationship between hearing birdsong and an increased sense of well-being. This result builds on prior investigations into the effects of listening to recordings of natural sounds on people. Those studies have shown that recordings of natural sounds can help with stress relief and the ability to focus. However, the reason behind the benefit is not totally clear.
Perhaps listening to birdsong is connected to a sense of calm. After all, we encounter birdsong in the peaceful part of the morning or following a storm. Or it might relate to a sense of safety projected by singing birds. They sing when there are no predators nearby. Whatever the reason, listening to birdsong can improve our mental health.
The authors of the hiking study had an interesting observation. It was the perception of being in nature with a diversity of singing birds that helped. Therefore, they suggested that park managers encourage visitors to enjoy nature quietly as that provided the greatest benefit.
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为保护环境，政府提倡垃圾分类，但许多小区的落实情况不尽人意，请你写一封电子邮件向相关部门负责人反映这一现状，并提出合理建议。
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Classroom Pets
Watching duck eggs hatch in a classroom was a “wow” experience that brought the topic to life, says Sarah Holmes, teacher in Derby High School’s primary department. Classrooms across the UK house a wide range of school pets: hamsters, fish, guinea pigs and even tortoises. But though they teach children about nature, it is not always a happy story, animal charities say, and it might be teaching children the wrong lessons.
In some schools, animals die because the school cannot afford vets’ fees. The eggs at Derby High came from a company that provided detailed instructions on how to care or the ducklings and took them back to rear, but the service costs money not all schools can afford. The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue based in Stoke-on-trent, has taken in a number of guinea pigs from schools in North Stafforshire that have found themselves unable to care for the animals. The schools thought it was a good idea until the animal experienced health issues and they had to pay for vet treatment.
Many teachers who keep classroom pets do so with good intentions. But as a matter of fact, a classroom simply isn’t a suitable home for an animal. The sleep-wake cycles of nocturnal(夜间活动的) animals such as mice and hamsters are disturbed by bright classroom lights and by pupils taking them out of their cages and handling them. Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) says it hears complaints that animals have died after being over-handled or through accidents occurring when being played with. “I can’t imagine many things worse than being limited to a cage stuck in a noisy classroom all day,” one citizen said.
Nevertheless, Debs Howe, a former biology teacher who now runs an egg hatching company, says that done responsibly, looking after animals can be an experience children don’t forget. For children who may have issues accessing the curriculum often due to autism (自闭症) or emotional or behavioral issues, the hatching of chicks has an incredible effect. It’s also particularly appealing to those who always live in cities with little access to farms or nature.
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