1 . The candy we eat, the tea we drink, the lotion we use---they all likely contain ingredients from wild plants. While natural ingredients can be beneficial to buyers, the way those plants are harvested could harm ecosystems. In a recent United Nations report, medicinal plant experts revealed the risks behind several of them, including Brazil nuts, frankincense, goldenseal, gum arabic, and licorice.
Plant derivatives (衍生物) in household products “sit there somewhere in the middle of the ingredients list” on product labels, often going unnoticed, says Caitlin Schindler, lead author of the report. Even if consumers do take note, there’s no information about what’s involved in obtaining or processing the derivatives.
Many of these plants are threatened with extinction from overharvesting, disease and pests, climate change, and habitat loss. The endangered state of more than 20,000 medicinal plant species has never been assessed, which means it’s impossible to know whether their use is sustainable.
Meanwhile, the trade in wild plants is booming. U. S. consumers spent more than $12.3 billion on herbal dietary supplements in 2021---up more than 9 percent from 2020. Wild plants have been used locally for centuries, but today’s global demand puts many at risk. And international customers often have no idea where these products originate.
Should consumers stop buying the products? No. Schindler says, because “the ingredients are really critical to a lot of people’s livelihoods.” Solutions for transforming the trade in wild plants are rooted in awareness. The first step for consumers is to “just notice that you’re buying something that has a wild ingredient,” she says. It’s generally safer to purchase local products and splurge on more expensive ones, if possible.
Consumers can also look for organic and fair-trade certifications. Various programs evaluate wild-plant supply chains for sustainability, and many companies advertise these certifications, either on the product or online. One of the most prominent is Fair Wild, which assesses environmental risks and recommends best sourcing practices. If certifications are missing, Schindler encourages people to challenge companies to do better. “Until businesses get a bit more pressure from consumers, we won’t see any changes happening,” she says.
1. What can we learn about wild plants according to the report?A.Their current situation is ignored. | B.They are limited on a global scale. |
C.They have been evaluated regularly. | D.Their process information is on the label. |
A.Get rid of. | B.Spend much money on. |
C.Pay attention to. | D.Conduct many experiments on. |
A.They confirm the quality of the wild plants. |
B.They offer consumers rights to assess the products. |
C.They ensure the use of wild plants at a steady level. |
D.They inspire companies to make more advertisements. |
A. | B. | C. | D. |
A.$200. | B.$100. | C.$50. |
1. What is the woman's purpose of talking to the man?
A.To get some information. |
B.To offer an invitation. |
C.To order a computer. |
A.It is more suitable for small businesses. |
B.It has the latest and greatest hardware. |
C.It supports more software. |
A.A wide range of software. |
B.A training programme. |
C.Special courses for regular customers. |
A.She runs a restaurant. |
B.She sells computers. |
C.She runs training courses. |
4 . Shorts may feel nice and casual on your legs on a warm summer’s day, but they’re not so gentle on your wallet.
It turns out clothing sellers aren’t trying to cheat you by charging you too much money. They’re just pricing shorts according to what it costs to produce them.
Those same details that end up accounting for most of the material—pockets, belt loops, waist bands—also require the most human labor to make.
A.More or less, shorts almost cost what pants do. |
B.This is where the true cost of a garment is determined. |
C.This price trend becomes popular across the fashion field. |
D.This is because most of the cloth is sewn into the top half. |
E.In general, a pair of shorts isn’t any cheaper than a pair of pants. |
F.To tell you the truth, it is a real bargain to pay for a pair of shorts. |
G.Customers are willing to purchase a pair of shorts if it is at a reasonable price. |