1 . In recent years, wooden buildings have reached new heights, with rocketing timber (木材) skyscrapers completed or underway in countries like Norway, Switzerland and Australia. Now, real estate (房地产) developer Atrium Ljungberg has announced plans to build the world’s largest “wooden city”, which will be constructed in Sweden’s capital,   Stockholm, from 2025.

Stockholm Wood City will feature 7,000 office spaces and 2,000 homes in the city’s southeast, and will offer “a dynamic, urban environment with a mixture of workplaces, housing, restaurants and shops”, according to a press release. Set across 250,000 square meters, it has been described by its developer as the “world’s largest known construction project in wood”. Timber has been championed as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, with expensive new construction projects using wood besides single-family homes and office buildings.

However, a mixed-use development of such size would be “a historic milestone for Swedish innovation capability”, said Annica Anas, CEO of Atrium Ljungberg.

Although some experts have raised concerns over fire risks posed by wooden buildings, advocates argue that engineered timber burns at a relatively slow and predictable rate, making it safer than many conventional steel structures. Timber is also a “carbon sink”, which means that carbon dioxide removed from the air by trees is stored in the material rather than being returned to the atmosphere. Wooden buildings have been found to enjoy better indoor air quality and can be constructed with significantly lower carbon emissions than those made with conventional materials.

The construction will not be as noisy as it is built from concrete and bricks, adds Ms Anas. This makes wooden buildings particularly suitable for urban redevelopment in general, since putting them up is less likely to annoy the neighbours. It should also be profitable.

The wooden city is supposed to make commute (通勤) easier and shorter. The website for the project describes Stockholm Wood City as a “five-minute city”, meaning that anywhere one would need to go would only be a five-minute walk. The first buildings in Stockholm Wood City are set to be completed in 2027.

Microplastics in Water — a Wake-up Call for All of Us

Today researchers announced that they have found tiny pieces of plastic in water samples from around the world. These pieces are called microplastics and are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye and are very difficult to remove from the water. When in the water, they are swallowed by fish and other animals and then enter the food chain.

Even more concerning is the fact that the plastic has also been found in drinking water across the world. This means that we are drinking plastic every day. Scientists do not know what level of harm this will cause us in the future.

Microplastics come from a number of different sources, in particular from washing and drying synthetic (non-natural) clothing and from cosmetics and cleaning products, such as toothpaste and face washes. Microplastics are even found in the air outside and at our homes.

Almost every country across the world agrees that we cannot continue using so much plastic in our lives. We need to find a solution to remove microplastics from our oceans. We also need to introduce new taxes and other means to encourage companies to choose environment-friendly ingredients and recyclable packaging for their products.

We need to take personal responsibility, too. We all have the freedom to choose how we spend our money and what kids of business and products we support. Let’s work together to protect our environment, both now and for the future.

Remember: Reduce — Reuse — Recycle. (244 words)

7 . Top scientists have emphasized the importance of forest carbon sinks as having an irreplaceable role in reducing carbon in the atmosphere and ultimately combating climate change.

Yin Weilun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former principal of Beijing Forestry University, said that forests and grasslands hold a unique position in combating global climate change.

Forest carbon sinks are plants that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fix it in vegetation or soil, thereby reducing concentration of the gas, Yin said.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Forestry and Grassland Carbon Sink Innovation International Forum, which is running parallel to the Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing from Thursday to Tuesday, the scientist said that good forest management can increase carbon absorption capability.

Yin called for more research in forest management to ensure the sustainability of forests and their carbon sink capacity.

“The growth and development cycle of each tree species is different. For example, poplars (白杨木) reach their peak height in about 20 years. After that, they are unlikely to grow and the tree top will rot away.”

To use land efficiently, forest managers must cut down some rotten trees and replace them with young ones so that the forest system can maintain its ability to reproduce and act as a carbon sink, he said.

Yin also stressed the need for increasing forest reserves, grasslands and wetlands to enhance their ability to absorb carbon.

At the forum, Du Xiangwan, former deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said forests and grasslands can make multiple contributions to climate change mitigation as each cubic meter of wood growth can absorb an average of 1.83 metric tons of carbon dioxide, he said.

In addition, afforestation, grassland and wetland restoration, and desertification control not only protect biodiversity but also provide solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, he added.

Last year, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration set up a carbon sink research institute to study the country’s potential for carbon sinks through forests and grasslands.

This research work will assess the spatial distribution of carbon sinks with the aim of understanding how to increase them, the administration said.

Reducing Water Pollution In The Wanquan River

   We all share a great responsibility to protect the environment, without which we could not survive.     1    , the amount and scale of environment issues may seem too much for ordinary people. But with hard work and     2    (determine), anyone can achieve great things.

One such person is Yin Yuzhen. At a young age, Yin moved to Inner Mongolia to live with her husband in the desert. She felt very lonely.     3    (improve) the tough environment and cheer     4    (she) up, Yin began planting trees to take land back from the desert. “I would rather die of tiredness from fighting the sand than     5    (bury) by it!” She said.

The deserts of Inner Mongolia have spread over centuries. Planting small trees was very hard work. The couple had to travel on foot,     6    (do) everything by hand. At first, many trees did not survive, but over the years, she learnt from her failures, discovering the best plants and methods to use to successfully plant a forest in the desert.

Over more than three decades, Yin Yuzhen and her husband     7    (plant) over 300,000 trees and have taken back a large area of land from the desert. Yin has received praise and awards from all over the world. It has been said of Yin: “She is a symbol of courage, patience and perseverance. Her work in greeting the desert deserves     8    (universe) respect.”

It is inspiring to see a clear example of     9     the problem of desertification can be dealt with. Although actions may seem small and insignificant, over time they join together to become great achievements. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step and the will to continue, and a great forest begins with     10     single small tree and the will to protect and nurture it. Take your first step. Plant your first tree.