2 . Coral reefs(珊瑚礁)as underwater walls can help reduce the effects of hurricanes on coastal communities. This seems unbelievable. It is reported that scientists have discovered that coral reefs are even more effective than man-made sea walls under the water. However, coral reefs are especially easy to be influenced by climate change. Overfishing and pollution have also proved very dangerous to them. Since 1950, half of the world’s coral reefs have already been lost. To protect our communities and keep sea ecosystems alive, we need to protect coral reefs right away.

Let’s take a closer look at how coral reefs protect us from floods, and how scientists are restoring (修复) reefs.

The roles that coral reefs play as underwater walls have long been recorded by scientists. During a Category 3 hurricane in 2015 in Australia, the coral reefs effectively protected the eastern shoreline from flooding. In contrast, the western coasts without coral reefs suffered serious damage. The researchers observed that the shape of coral reefs can break the approaching waves. More recently, researchers at the University of Miami have reached the same conclusion. They used a special lab simulator to recreate ocean conditions during a Category 5 hurricane. They found that coral reefs could reduce the impact of waves by up to 95 percent!

Because of higher ocean acidity (酸 性) and temperature, coral reefs are disappearing and dying out. At the same time, climate change puts weakened coral reefs under more stress. The University of Miami researchers are testing to plant new coral reefs while others are actively looking for effective methods to reduce the acidity of sea water. The governments have also paid more attention to these actions and provided enough money for reef restoration. With these efforts, we may address climate threats to coral reefs and they can carry on protecting our communities.

4 . My love for animals began through watching wildlife documentaries when I was a kid. I went on to ________ Environmental Science at university, and became ________ in marine biology when I did my PhD. at the University of Hong Kong. That’s when I ________ that there was a possibility to do more for Hong Kong.

I was very lucky to ________ Ms. Claire Nouvian when I graduated from my PhD. in 2009. At that time, Claire was ________ another non-profit organization, BLOOM Hong Kong, after founding the Bloom Association in France a few years before, and she hired me to work on ________ marine conservation. We do this mainly by being research focused, arousing public ________, and trying to fill knowledge ________. We then share our information with frontline officer, such as fishery managers and customs officers, to help them ________ how important their role is in implementing (贯彻执行) regulations to the wildlife trade, and ________ suggestions on how to make implementation work more ________.

We are sill a city in love with ________ and Hong Kong has the second highest annual seafood ________ in Asia — but consumers are ________ aware of where their seafood comes from and which species are ________.

With the marine ecosystem already ________, the greatest threat is continued ignorance and inaction. We humans have been a ________ part of the problem, but now it is time for us to show that we can also be a part of the ________. If each person around us ________ their part — even for just one meal a day Hong Kong would already be on its way to making considerable ________ towards sustainable seafood consumption.

5 . Nature embraces us with beauty. Below, you will learn a list of famous natural reserves.

New Caledonia is famous for its beautiful nature, diverse species and wonderful coastal ecosystems. The Natural Park of the Coral Sea safeguards large marine (海洋的) habitats vital to the inhabitants, wildlife, and environmental protection of the territories in the south western Pacific region. The Natural Park of the Coral Sea in New Caledonia is a shelter for sharks, whales and turtles. Unique world-class diving locations can be found in the Natural Park of the Coral Sea.

Located in the central Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Remote Islands Monument area includes seven islands. There are 165 identified oceanic plates in the sites of diversity and species richness. It is one of the most beautiful tropical marine habitats. The island hosts corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, land birds, insects, and the flora (植物群) existing nowhere else on the planet.

SGSSI-MPA is a vast natural preservation and conservation area in the far southern Atlantic Ocean. Due to the isolated geography and freezing weather throughout the year, few inhabitants live in this location. The marine reserve’s laws in this location are highly restrictive, with no commercial fishing permitted.

The park is one of the world’s largest marine parks and is located off the coastlines outside the Great Barrier Reef. Coral reefs, deep-sea plains and canyons (峡谷) are among the unique ecosystems found in the Coral Sea Marine Park. Additionally, the marine park preserves sixteen bottom ecosystems, including canyons and plains. It consists of 34 larger reef zones and 15, 000 square kilometers of shallow reef systems followed by much marine life.

6 . The Latest and Greatest Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

At this point, we know that we’re facing a climate crisis. CO_₂ levels are at their highest in 650,000 years, which is why we’ve heard a lot about our “carbon footprint.”

    1     Essentially, your carbon footprint is the amount of CO_₂ emissions(排放) resulting from each of your daily activities, as well as the products you consume. Whether you realize it or not, it affects the environment. So, how can we reduce our carbon footprint?     2    

Change to smart light bulbs(灯泡)

You’ve probably already made the change from traditional light bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs. That’s a great first step, but you can do one better by changing to smart LED bulbs.     3     These bulbs can wirelessly connect to the Internet and most importantly, your smartphone, enabling you to turn on the lights or change the color easily.

Use a notebook computer instead of a desktop computer

Consider getting a notebook instead of a desktop, because it uses less energy. Specifically, notebooks use up to 80 percent less electricity than desktops, using between one-fifth and one-third as much energy.     4     Notebook computers are an additional 20 percent more power efficient when running on AC adapter(适配器) power over battery power.

Rethink your transportation strategy

Not everyone has the option of walking, biking, or taking public transportation to work, but if you do, those are the best ways to reduce your transportation-related carbon footprint.     5     If this is the case, you may want to consider using an electric car. While only a few years ago these cars seemed imaginary, they’re now pretty standard, and electric charging stations are getting more common.

Taking these very workable steps is a good start. Doing your part to protect the planet can be as easy as making small, strategic changes to your everyday routine.

Over and over at the UN climate summit in Glasgow, world leaders have stressed the need     1     (limit) global warming to 1. 5 degrees Celsius. Experts have said crossing the 1. 5 ℃threshold(界限）risks     2     （release) far more severe climate change effects on people, wildlife and ecosystems. Preventing it     3     (require) almost halving global CO₂ emissions(排放) by 2030 from 2010 levels and cutting them to net-zero by 2050.

Already, the world has heated to around 1. 1℃ above pre-industrial levels. Each of the last four decades was     4     (hot) than any decade since 1850. “We never had such a global warming in only a few decades,” said climate     5     (science) Daniela Jacob at the Climate Service Center Germany.

More warming to 1. 5 ℃ and beyond will     6     (worse) such impacts. For example, heatwaves would become both more frequent and more severe. A warmer atmosphere can also hold more moisture(水分), resulting in more extreme rainfall     7     raises flood risks. It also increases evaporation, leading to more intense droughts.

“At 1. 5 ℃, there’s     8     good chance that we can keep most of the Greenland and west Antarctic ice sheet     9     collapsing,” said climate expert Michael Mann at Pennsylvania State University. That would help limit sea level rise to a few     10     (foot) by the end of the century.

8 . What is Earth Day? It’s a day to celebrate, praise and notice Mother Earth.     1     A reminder that without Mother Earth, none of us would be alive.

For Earth Day, and every day for that matter, go outside.     2     Soak up the sunlight. Taste the air on your tongue, feel the wind kiss your cheeks, and let your bare feet meet the dirt, grass, and sand.

Go for a walk. Look, listen and smell the world around you.     3     Notice the breathtaking display of flowers and bushes, grasses and trees —everywhere. Breathe in their scents. Notice the chirps, buzz and clicks of birds, insects, and squirrels. What are they saying? Notice the colors —every shade of every color, everywhere. Hello natural world! I see you! Say out loud. And then try to understand the biodiversity of life. Try to imagine all that Mother Nature is, all that Mother Nature has and all that Mother Nature does for us. Really try to understand--reach and bend and stretch until your heart and mind are gaping. Then celebrate her.

Kiss the trees. Dance in a meadow. Sing with the birds. Play in the dirt. Join the animals and the birds and the angels, the silent song of the flowers and trees in praise of her.    4     Pick up rubbish; plant a garden; feed the birds; remove a fence; let a weed grow.

    5     Wish Mother Earth a happy Earth Day and make a promise that when people ask when Earth Day is, you will answer, “Every day!”