4 . Common water plant could provide a green energy source. Scientists have figured out how to get large amounts of oil from duckweed, one of nature’s fastest-growing water plants. Transferring such plant oil into biodiesel (生物柴油) for transportation and heating could be a big part of a more sustainable future.

For a new study, researchers genetically engineered duckweed plants to produce seven times more oil per acre than soybeans. John Shanklin, a biochemist says further research could double the engineered duckweed’s oil output in the next few years.

Unlike fossil fuels, which form underground, biofuels can be refreshed faster than they are used. Fuels made from new and used vegetable oils, animal fat and seaweed can have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels do, but there has been a recent negative view against them. This is partly because so many crops now go into energy production rather than food; biofuels take up more than 100 million acres of the world’s agricultural land.

Duckweed, common on every continent but Antarctica, is among the world’s most productive plants, and the researchers suggest it could be a game-changing renewable energy source for three key reasons. First, it grows readily in water, so it wouldn’t compete with food crops for agricultural land. Second, duckweed can grow fast in agricultural pollution released into the water. Third, Shanklin and his team found a way to avoid a major biotechnological barrier: For the new study, Shanklin says, the researchers added an oil-producing gene, “turning it on like a light switch”by introducing a particular molecule (分子) only when the plant had finished growing. Shanklin says, “If it replicates (复制) in other species-and there’s no reason to think that it would not — this can solve one of our biggest issues, which is how we can make more oil in more plants without negatively affecting growth.”

To expand production to industrial levels, scientists will need to design and produce large-scale bases for growing engineered plants and obtaining oil — a challenge, Shanklin says, because duckweed is a non-mainstream crop without much existing infrastructure (基础设施).

5 . For millions of years, sea turtles (海龟) have been making the great journey from Costa Rican beaches to the ocean.

Female sea turtles come to shore to nest (筑巢) on the same beach where they were born. Scientists are not sure how sea turtles remember where they were born, but they believe that sea turtles can use the Earth’s magnetic field (磁场) to help them find their way back. Mother sea turtles usually nest every two to three years, but they might lay two or three nests in one year.

Unlike most animals, the temperature inside the nest determines whether the turtles will be male or female. Warmer nests produce more female turtles. It can take from six weeks to two months for baby turtles to appear from the nest. Once they sense cooler nighttime temperatures, they will begin their perilous journey towards the sea. The little turtles’ journey to the ocean isn’t a leisurely walk on the beach. In fact,on some beaches, only 10 percent of them make it to the ocean.

Natural hunters are not the only threat to sea turtles. Humans and their activities have also severely reduced the number of sea turtles in the oceans. Fishing activities, boat traffic, artificial (人工的) lighting, and pollution are making the trip from beach to ocean difficult. Due to a variety of these threats, six out of seven sea turtle species worldwide are considered endangered or threatened.

While sea turtles may face several threats to their survival, there are many opportunities for humans to help them. For example, avoid fishing in waters that are known to have sea turtles. If you do accidentally hook (钓) a turtle, do not remove the hook. Instead, call local wildlife authorities to help with removal. Lights draw baby turtles away from the ocean. Turn off your lights at night when you are near a sea turtle nesting area. Another way to help sea turtles is to reduce your plastic use. Plastic litter is among the number one causes of deaths of sea turtles. Last, get involved with sea turtle protection efforts.

6 . The following are some unsung heroes bringing a unique viewpoint and approach to the global challenge of environmental conservation.

Greta Thunberg, a young environmental voice from Sweden, has not only caught global attention but transformed it into a powerful movement. Through her “Fridays for Future” initiative, Greta encourages students worldwide to advocate for climate action, calling for the urgency of addressing climate change. Her touching speeches at international forums, coupled with a refusal to accept inaction have made her a symbol of youth-driven environmental advocacy.

The late Nobel Peace Prize winner from Kenya left a permanent mark through her pioneering Green Belt Movement. This grassroots initiative empowered communities, particularly women, to fight against deforestation through tree planting. Maathai’s legacy lives on in the millions of trees planted across Africa, reflecting her belief that sustainable development starts at the grassroots level, with communities actively engaged in preserving their environment

Isatou Ceesay, an environmentalist from The Gambia, has emerged as a pioneer in the fight against plastic pollution. Recognizing the detrimental impact of plastic waste on local communities and ecosystems, Ceesay founded the “Women’s Initiative Gambia”. Through creative recycling initiatives, she empowers women to repurpose plastic waste, promoting economic independence within communities.

Ma Jun began his career as an investigative journalist, but has quickly risen to become an outstanding Chinese environmentalist, known for his pioneering work in water pollution control. As the founder of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs(IPE), Ma Jun developed the China Water Pollution Map, an interactive online tool that tracks water quality data and exposes pollution sources across the country.