1 . According to reports, three-quarters of all crops around the world depend on pollinating (授粉的) insects like bees and butterflies. By pollinating, pollinators enable the production of seeds. Without them, crop farming can become extremely difficult or costly threatening food supplies and prices globally.

Research has shown a rapid and consistent decline in pollinator populations. Average butterfly populations have almost halved since 1991 and bee populations in particular face a sharp decline. Given the world’s growing dependence on these insects, we can only expect the problem to worsen if no action is taken.

Much has been written about how intensive farming practices the use of chemical pesticides and pollution are threatening the survival of these helpful insects. To add to the already critical situation, global warming is contributing significantly to the rapid disappearance of pollinators.

Climate change is a major threat to pollinators, with rising temperatures and increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events affecting the food sources and habitats, on which pollinators depend for their survival.

Climate change also changes the timing and availability of lowering plants, leading to mismatches between pollinators and their food sources. A study has found that climate change has shifted plants’ blooming to earlier times and caused certain plants to move to higher areas, resulting in a decline in pollination.

Another study has found that climate change could lead to a decline in the quality of nectar, which is the main food source for many pollinators. As temperatures rise, the sugar content of nectar decreases, making it less nutritious for pollinators. This leads to a decline in the health and reproductive success of pollinators, as well as a decline in the pollination of plants.

Needless to say, cutting global emissions is key. It’s essential that we continue to advocate for emission reductions. From country-level to individual businesses, more concrete roadmaps to net zero are a must.

We must at least minimize, if not prevent, the usage of pesticides, since these chemicals are harmful to pollinators and can have a far-reaching effect on pollination as a whole.

Notice

We have all heard the expression: “Remember to stop and smell the roses.” But, how often do we really take time out of our busy fast-paced life to notice the world around us? I have reflected back on one situation many times since it happened and have learned several powerful lessons from it.

I am as guilty as anyone of ignoring the world around in this manner, especially when I am driving on California’s overcrowded streets. A short time ago, however, I witnessed an event that showed me how being wrapped up in my own little world has kept me from being fully aware of the bigger world picture around me.

I was driving to a business appointment and, as usual, I was planning in my mind what I was going to say. I came to a very busy crossroads where the traffic light had just turned red. “All right,” I thought to myself. “I can beat the next light if I race ahead of the cars.” My mind and car were in auto pilot (自动驾驶), ready to go when suddenly my absent-minded state was broken by an unforgettable sight.

A young couple, both blind, was walking arm-in-arm across this busy crossroads with cars whizzing (嗖嗖掠过) by in every direction. The man was holding the hand of a little boy, while the woman, obviously was holding a child tightly in her arms.

Each of them had a white walking stick extended, searching for clues to guide them across the crossroads.

Initially I was moved. They were overcoming what I felt was one of the most feared disabilities — blindness. Suddenly, horror seized me. The couple were not walking in the crosswalk, but was turning directly towards the middle of the crossroads. Without realizing the danger they were in, they were walking right the path of oncoming cars. I was frightened for them because I didn’t know if the other drivers understood what was happening.

However, as I watched from the front line of traffic, I saw a miracle unfold before my eyes.

Every car in every direction did the same thing.

The couple adjusted their route as they followed the drivers’ guidance.

6 . That artificial food dyes (染料) are unhealthy is not news. Some are known to cause hyperactivity (多动症) in some children, affecting their ability to learn. But regulatory agencies (监管机构) around the world don’t necessarily agree on which food dyes are a problem, or why. That may soon change. A 2021 peer-reviewed report by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concluded that artificial food dyes “cause or worsen neurobehavioral (神经行为的) problems in some children” and that the current levels that are regarded safe for consumption by the federal government are too high.

California is now considering requiring warning labels on food products and dietary supplements containing the seven most commonly used artificial dyes. The warning label requirement would put California on par with the European Union, which since 2010 has required food products containing certain artificial food dyes to carry warning labels about their negative effect on activity and attention in children.

Artificial dyes are used in foods for one reason: to make products look prettier. Bright colors make candies appealing, especially to kids. But dyes are also in chocolate cake mixes, salad dressings and other products that don’t seem to cry out for a color boost.

In Europe, it was the 2010 label lawmaking that triggered (引发) companies’ decisions to reformulate. “If you’re a company, you do not want to put a warning label on your product.” says Lefferts, an environmental health consultant. Warning labels are why European Starburst Fruit Chews are now colored with natural products, not the artificial dyes that brighten their North American counterparts (同类商品).

Given that artificial food dyes are used far more than needed, we need to be more cautious. After all, we don’t dye fresh fruits and vegetables, but we do dye candy and sprinkles, points out Joe Schwarcz, a chemistry professor at McGill University in Montreal. “The foods in which you find food dyes are foods that are poor in nutrition,” he says. “If you limit foods that contain food dyes, you automatically make your diet better.”

Did you know many adults sit for more than nine hours a day? Whether it’s working at a desk, sitting in a car,     1     lying on the sofa watching TV, we have     2     much more sedentary (惯于久坐不动的) lifestyle than our parents and grandparents did. The question that this raises is: what is it doing to our bodies?

The news isn’t good. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, you have a     3    (high) chance of being overweight, having diabetes or heart disease, and experiencing depression and anxiety. A study carried out in the 1950s     4    (compare) bus drivers with the conductors,     5     walked around the bus selling tickets. It showed that drivers were twice as likely     6    (have) heart attacks than the more active conductors. In fact, prolonged     7    (sit) has been connected with a number of different conditions. If you sit all day, you burn far fewer calories than someone with a more active job.

One possible answer to this problem is for desk workers     8    (use) standing desks, to spend at least part of a day on their feet. Other experts point out that standing all day can also have negative     9    (impact), such as leg or back pain, recommending that if people do want to use standing desks, they should     10    (gradual) increase the amount of standing time. They also point out that walking is a better choice because it burns far more calories than standing.

9 . Harbin Tourism Booms in Early 2024

As the curtains of 2024 drew open, Harbin, the northern city known for its icy charm, witnessed a tourism boom unlike any other. The city’s tourism sector received a _________ boost, gathering attention from netizens and travelers worldwide.

The local government and tourism authorities spared no _________ to prepare for this influx (人流量), ensuring that visitors were provided with the most _________ and convenient experiences. Specialties like the ice festival were very popular, with artificial intelligence used to _________ and entertain the crowds. The _________ and sincerity behind these efforts were obvious in every detail.

Harbin’s _________ rose, and it ranked among the top tourist destinations globally. This success was _________ to the city’s unique attractions, generous hospitality, and the lucky timing of the tourism boom. Visitors were impressed by the _________ shown to traditional culture and the immediacy (及时) of the local rescue teams, who were always on standby in case of any temporary inconvenience.

Netizens _________ positively on social media, praising the city’s efforts to boost its tourism sector. Some even suggested that other cities should stand in Harbin’s shoes and learn from its example. Complaints were few and far between, with most visitors agreeing that the city had __________ their stay.

The revenue (财政收入) generated by this tourism boom set a new record, __________ all previous revenue and proving that Harbin’s charm and attractions were more than just a passing fashion. The city’s tourism industry is now thriving and looks forward to an even __________ future. This success is a result of what can be achieved when sincerity, creativity, and hard work come __________.

As the world continues to assess the __________ of this tourism boom, one thing remains clear: Harbin has set a new standard for tourism excellence. We eagerly await what the future __________ for this active city.