1 . Reducing the use of plastic is a balance between what you can afford and what you can get. I’ve ______ a lot from a plastic-free lifestyle. It helps me ______ my carbon footprint and save money.

I’ve found that living plastic free is a great way to ______ mindless online shopping. Nowadays, I ______ weigh the possibility of returning an order before I hit the ______ button. Do I have something else I could ______ to meet this need? Is there a place I can get it ______ so I don’t have to deal with all the plastic it’ll arrive in?

Besides, I’ve slowly ______ the collection of the things that I want, and that are made to last. Anytime I need to replace a bigger-ticket item, I’m ______ to look for a second-hand version of a nicer, ______ item, which I can often find for the same price as a new but less durable (耐用的) model.

Of course, there are certain situations where plastic is the most ______ choice. I recently reorganized my closet and found that I ______ clear plastic containers for my off-season clothing. After a few ______ to my favorite neighborhood charity shop, I found a set of Rubbermaid storage containers that ______ the bill.

Life without plastic doesn’t take place overnight. Devote yourself to making a few ______ in your daily plastic use and see where it takes you.

2 . In 2015, the last golden eagle in England died at Haweswater in the Lake District National Park. Its death was the latest in a series of losses in the Lake District. In his book, Wild Fell, published by Doubleday on 24 February 2022. Haweswater Site Manager Lee Schofield calls on the local people to revive the landscape—telling the ups and downs of taking over the management of two hill farms in 2012 and how his team are combining ancient practices with new ambition so that farming and nature can develop well, and that one day eagles may surge once again.

In the Lake District, Lee and his team, working with landowner United Utilities, have changed a polluted river, restored wetlands, and equipped cows with GPS collars to protect endangered wildflowers. As well as helping wildlife, this is also good for people—there are twice as many people working at Haweswater than a decade ago, thousands of tons of carbon are being locked away in new woodlands and restored wetlands, and changing the river has added 180m to its length, slowing the flow of water and reducing flood risk. By restoring the habitats in the area, it will also finally help improve the water quality in the reservoir at Haweswater that provides water for more than two million people across North West England.

Lee says, “Change is possible, but we can’t depend on reserves as lifeboats for nature—we need a great transformation with people and wildlife at the heart of every decision made up and down this country. Wild Fell is not intended to be an instruction book, and there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution, but I hope it can serve as an example of what can happen when we work together to fight for our wildlife and our livelihoods.” Isabella Tree, author of The Return of Nature to a British Farm, says of Wild Fell, “It is an inspiring journey into the restoration of our lands. Reasoned, intelligent and well-informed, this is a story of hope and renewal for both nature and farming.”