1 . Shop Sustainably
If you have to name one thing that contributes most to your ecological footprints, you may say the energy you use at home, or your car’s emissions.
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●Avoid unnecessary packing. Buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packaged produce, and avoid products that contain multiple single packages or double packaging, like grain in a box and a bag. Consider switching from tea bags and coffee pods to tea leaves and ground coffee.
●Go organic when you can. In addition to the benefit organic farming has to insect biodiversity, it’s also considered more sustainable and better for the environment.
●Buy seasonal and native products.
A.Take reusable grocery bags. |
B.Select single-use plastic bags. |
C.It supports local farmers and food producers. |
D.You can also refill your own containers with loose-packed food. |
E.When buying organic products, look for those officially certified. |
F.But it’s what we eat that accounts for up to 60% of our personal demand. |
G.You’ll find it convenient whenever you buy tea or coffee in the supermarket. |
2 . Say No to Non-electric Cars
Most modern cities have taken action to reduce traffic jams and improve air quality. But if they want to become more livable, they should think about more ambitious goals.
Amsterdam has set a good example. As from 2030, driving a gas vehicle there will not be allowed. The Dutch capital wants its citizens to become healthier and happier.
The advantages of such plans are clear.
Saying no to non-electric cars or even all cars is hard.
A.But will everyone support such plans? |
B.The government should advocate the use of electric cars. |
C.Traffic jams waste huge amounts of fuel and time each year. |
D.Electric cars not only are energy-saving but produce little noise. |
E.But let’s think seriously about our well-being and that of our planet. |
F.People who drive electric car maybe given discount son parking fees. |
G.One way to do is to encourage them to switch to electric cars or give up driving altogether. |
3 . Animal and plant species are disappearing at frightening rates. The problem has led to efforts to “rewild” places where such life existed before human development, pollution and climate change forced it out. The American city of Detroit is an example of how human actions can increase rewilding, which generally means helping natural systems in damaged locations, removing dams or building tunnels to reconnect animal pathways cut by roads.
Detroit’s population reached a high of 1. 8 million in the 1950s. Then the population began dropping. By 2000, there were fewer than one million people living in the city. Thousands of houses and other buildings were left empty over the years. Some structures were destroyed, leaving empty areas that plants and animals regained as habitats. Nonprofit groups have also planted trees and community gardens in these areas. Bald eagles found their way back as bans on DDT and some other insect poisons were put in place nationwide. Anti-pollution laws and government-supported cleanups made nearby rivers better for fish and native plants.
Now, Detroit is home to 300 bird species and is a busy visiting place for ducks and others during migration. Additionally, this city offers a special way to study plants and animals in urban settings. Unlike most big cities, its population is decreasing but its streets and buildings remain in place. And there are many kinds of habitats, including large lakes, rivers and human neighborhoods. Detroit’s parklands are so quiet that people don’t even know they’re in the city.
“It used to be that you had to go to some remote location to get exposure to nature,” said John Hartig, a professor of University of Windsor. “Now that’s not the case. Like it or not, rewilding will occur. The question is how we can prepare communities and environments to anticipate the presence of more and more wildlife. After all, many city people have lost their tolerance to live with wildlife. To really make a difference in dealing with the biodiversity crisis, you’re going to have to have people on board. ”
1. What might have happened in Detroit at the beginning of 21st centuryA.The city was overpopulated. | B.More community gardens were built. |
C.Many buildings were deserted. | D.The environment was badly damaged. |
A.It’s government-supported efforts that really matter. |
B.Humans’ efforts can make a difference in rewilding. |
C.Humans are to blame for the worsening environment. |
D.It’s hard to humans and wildlife to live in harmony. |
A.It is a big city crowded with tourists and bird species. |
B.Tourists don’t show any interest in the quiet surroundings. |
C.It’s turned into a place where people can get close to nature. |
D.It’s become a center for those who study animals and plants. |
A.Protect. | B.Expect. | C.Imagine. | D.Delay. |
4 . While bringing global change may take some time, these companies and individuals have already developed various ways to reduce plastic pollution.
Plastic Bank
According to its founder David Katz, “The only way to stop ocean plastic is to show the value to the collectors.” The company does this by rewarding people who collect ocean plastic with cash, goods, or services. The garbage collected is recycled and sold to companies that pay above-market prices to help the cause.
Liter of Light
Since 2011, Liter of Light has been transforming plastic bottles into light sources (光源). There are millions of people who have no access to electricity. The company attaches plastic bottles filled with water and bleach to roofs. They reflect sunlight into the dark, windowless homes during the day. When the sun sets, a micro solar panel (太阳能电池板) helps power an LED bulb (灯泡).
The Ocean Cleanup Foundation
In 2013, 18-year-old Boyan Slat dropped out of college to start The Ocean Cleanup Foundation. The young inventor developed the first operational cleanup system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The system is designed to collect the surface garbage as it floats past. The accumulated plastic will be brought to land for recycling. Slat believes his invention will allow us to clean 50 percent of the patch within five years.
1. What does Plastic Bank mainly do to help reduce plastic pollution?A.They invent various ways. | B.They reward the collectors. |
C.They found a recycling company. | D.They call on the public to plant trees. |
A.By reflecting sunlight. | B.By producing electricity. |
C.By working with a solar panel. | D.By being made into LED bulbs. |
A.Learned and ambitious. | B.Devoted and dutiful. |
C.Hard-working and optimistic. | D.Determined and creative. |
5 . As environmental concerns continue to increase, many people are left wondering how they can balance the need to travel with the need to protect the planet. One particular dilemma that has received significant attention is air travel.
Air travel is known to be one of the most carbon-intensive forms of travel. According to a report by the European Environment Agency, aviation is responsible for around 3% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, and that number is expected to grow in the coming years. In addition, aircraft contribute to other types of air pollution, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
For environmentalists who advocate for reducing our carbon footprint, this brings up a difficult question: should we avoid flying altogether?
On one hand, it’s easy to see why environmentalists would want to keep away from air travel. By doing so, they could dramatically reduce their carbon footprint and set an example for others. Additionally, some argue that air travel perpetuates(使永久)a culture of overconsumption, which is contradictory to environmental values.
However, there are also arguments in favor of air travel: For one, air travel enables people to experience different cultures, build relationships, and expand their knowledge in ways that might not be possible otherwise. It can also facilitate business trades and contribute to economic growth. Moreover, some experts believe that technological advancements could make air travel more sustainable in the future. For example, some airlines are experimenting with biofuels and electric planes, which could dramatically reduce the emissions associated with air travel.
So what’s the answer? Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide whether the benefits of air travel outweigh the environmental costs. However, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce their impact. For example, travellers can choose to fly less frequently, opt for direct flights, and offset(抵消)their emissions through programs like carbon offsetting. In the end, the key is to remain aware of the environmental impact of our choices and to make informed decisions based on our own values and priorities.
1. What’s the function of paragraph 2?A.To make a comparison. |
B.To present an argument. |
C.To clarify the effect of air travel. |
D.To describe various greenhouse gases. |
A.It helps avoid economic problems. |
B.It promotes globalization in some sense. |
C.It will make biofuels popular in the near future. |
D.It will accelerate the development of electric planes. |
A.Approving. | B.Skeptical. | C.Objective. | D.Ambiguous. |
A.Whether we should travel by air or not. |
B.Environmental concerns about air travel. |
C.How to reduce the pollution air travel causes. |
D.The advantages and disadvantages of air travel. |
6 . When we think of bicycles, we think of fun and the outdoors. Bicycles give riders the freedom to explore and enjoy the environment and its surroundings.
Most people know that riding bicycles is environmentally friendly.
Bikes are becoming more and more popular across the world. In fact, they are becoming more than just a fun pastime (娱乐).
Some South American cities, such as Bogota in Colombia, have a weekly car-free day.
It seems that the bike is a force for good, providing solutions for cleaner cities without leaving a serious environmental footprint.
A.Riding bicycles is a healthy, cheap activity and good exercise. |
B.Cities are taking this love and demand for bicycles seriously. |
C.People are encouraged to buy bicycles to go to and from work. |
D.Daily use of a bicycle has very low effect on the environment. |
E.It is cheap and convenient to travel around the world on bicycles. |
F.They are also used as a daily transport to work, school or shopping. |
G.More than 2 million people bicycle, skate, or jog along the closed roads. |
7 . On August 8, 2021, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its first assessment of climate science since 2013. The news was not good. The report stated that this past decade was the hottest in 125,000 years and that the atmospheric carbon levels are the highest in at least 2 million years. Glaciers are melting faster than any time in over 2,000 years, and ocean levels are rising at twice the rate since 2006.
At the current pace, the researchers expect global temperatures to rise by at least 1.5°, compared to pre-industrial levels, within the next 20 years. The temperature increases will result in significant changes to the planet’s water cycle. Areas that currently receive a lot of rain will get significantly more, while dry regions will become increasingly likely to droughts.
The IPCC’s findings come as no surprise to the millions of people worldwide currently feeling the impacts of climate-related disasters. America and many European countries are battling wildfires. Meanwhile, an unprecedented (史无前例的) week-long storm in July 2021 caused flash floods and mudslides in Western Europe. Climate change is even impacting the Earths coldest and most remote regions which experienced the first rainfall event in recorded history.
The situation may sound hopeless. However, many experts believe it is still not too late to turn things around, if we all act now. While governments need to do their share by introducing and obey stricter carbon emission laws, individuals can also help. Driving less, conserving water, and reducing electricity usage are some great ways to start. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle will help conserve natural resources and energy. It will also save you and your community. Be sure to start doing your part to save our beautiful home today!
1. Why did IPCC release its first assessment of climate science?A.To appeal to people to reduce carbon levels. |
B.To state the earth’s temperature hits a record high. |
C.To inform readers climate change is severe. |
D.To report ocean levels are rising higher. |
A.The rise of global temperatures. | B.The fast development of industry. |
C.The heavy rainfall of the earth. | D.The terrible droughts in dry regions. |
A.Effects of climate change. | B.Facts of rainfall disasters. |
C.Losses caused by natural disasters. | D.Weather phenomena in many regions. |
A.Fighting against climate change is relatively simple. |
B.Stricter carbon emission laws has been tightened up. |
C.The author is opposed to consuming natural resources. |
D.The author urges immediate action on climate change. |
8 . After a lifetime of bringing nature back. Sir David Attenborough wants us to get out of our comfort zones and help save the natural world. "I think it's terrible that children should
For so many years, he travelled with just a leather suitcase. His wife would see him off at the airport, never knowing
Despite his
So just be modest. Don't waste.”
1.A.take off | B.grow up | C.live on | D.pass away |
A.awful | B.amazing | C.courageous | D.excellent |
A.spread | B.expanded | C.recovered | D.shrunk |
A.nature | B.humans | C.rate | D.cities |
A.click | B.remind | C.tip | D.fix |
A.returned | B.fixed | C.pressed | D.seen |
A.come out | B.take over | C.wipe out | D.bring out |
A.quite | B.hard | C.fast | D.luckily |
A.relief | B.series | C.text | D.reaction |
A.chest | B.hand | C.face | D.hair |
A.award | B.approached | C.recognized | D.threw |
A.credit | B.reward | C.money | D.chance |
A.stress | B.observation | C.fame | D.explanation |
A.community | B.generation | C.race | D.species |
A.precious | B.curious | C.attractive | D.powerful |
9 . Think about the different ways that people use the wind. You can use it to fly a kite or to sail a boat. Wind is one of our cleanest and richest power sources, as well as one of the oldest. Evidence shows that windmills (风车) began to be used in ancient Iran back in the 7th century BC. They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s, when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power.
For many centuries, people used windmills to grind (磨碎) wheat into flour or pump water from deep underground. When electricity was discovered in the late 1800s, people living in remote (偏远的) areas began to use them to produce electricity. This allowed them to have electric lights and radio. However, by the 1940s when electricity was available (可利用的) to people in almost all areas of the United States, windmills were seldom used.
During the 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realized that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered, though it means higher costs. Today, there is a global movement to supply more and more of our electricity through the use of wind.
1. From the text we know that windmills ________.A.were invented by European armies |
B.used to supply power to radio in remote areas |
C.have a history of more than 2,800 years |
D.have rarely been used since electricity was discovered |
A.Producing electricity. | B.Sailing a boat. |
C.Grinding wheat into flour. | D.Pumping water from ground. |
A.the supply of coal and gas failed to meet needs |
B.it is one of the oldest power sources |
C.it was cheaper to create energy from wind |
D.wind power is cleaner |
10 . In the old days, when you had to drive to a movie theater to get some entertainment, it was easy to see how your actions could have an impact(影响)on the environment. After all, you were jumping into your car, driving across town, coughing out emissions(产生排放)and using gas all the way. But now that we're used to staying at home and streaming movies, we might get a little proud. After all, we're just picking up our phones and maybe turning on the TV. You're welcome. Mother Nature.
Not so fast, says a recent report from the French-based Shift Project. According to "Climate Crisis: The Unsustainable Use of Online Video", digital technologies are responsible for 4% of greenhouse gas emissions, and that energy use is increasing by 9% a year. Watching a half-hour show would cause 1. 6 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. That's like driving 6. 28 kilometers. And in the European Union, the Eureca project found that data centers (where videos are stored) there used 25% more energy in 2017 compared to just three years earlier, reports the BBC.
Streaming is only expected to increase as we become more enamored of our digital devices (设备)and the possibility of enjoying entertainment where and when we want it increases. Online video use is expected to increase by four times from 2017 to 2022 and account for 80% of all Internet traffic by 2022. By then, about 60% of the world's population will be online.
You're probably not going to give up your streaming services, but there're things you can do to help lessen the impact of your online use, experts say. For example, according to Lutz Stobbe, a researcher from the Fraunhofer Institute in Berlin, we have no need to upload 25 pictures of the same thing to the cloud because it consumes energy every time. If instead you delete a few things here and there, you can save energy. Moreover, it's also a good idea to stream over Wi-Fi, watch on the smallest screen you can, and turn off your Wi-Fi in your home if you're not using your devices.
1. What topic is the first paragraph intended to lead in?A.The environmental effects of driving private cars. |
B.The improvements on environmental awareness. |
C.The change in the way people seek entertainment. |
D.The environmental impacts of screaming services. |
A.Get more skeptical of. | B.Become more aware of. |
C.Feel much crazier about. | D.Get more worried about. |
A.It is being reduced to protect the planet. |
B.Its environmental effects are worsening. |
C.It is easily available to almost everyone. |
D.Its side effects have drawn global attention. |
A.Watching downloaded movies on a mobile phone. |
B.Downloading music on a personal computer. |
C.Uploading a lot of images of the same thing. |
D.Playing online games over mobile networks. |