2 . 2022 Earthshot Prize Winners Announced

Last Friday, Britain’s Prince William announced the winners of this year’s Earthshot Prize. Each prize-winner won $1.2 million for their efforts. Below are some of this year’s prize-winning projects.

Protect and Restore Nature

Kheyti won the prize for protecting and restoring nature with its “Greenhouse-in-a-box” idea. The company provides a simple, large greenhouse to small farmers at a low cost. The greenhouse helps protect crops from insects and other pests. It also helps the crops survive extreme weather conditions, Kheyti is already working with 1, 000 farmers across India.

Clean Our Air

Charlot Magayi won the prize for cleaning the air. After her daughter was burned by a charcoal-burning stove, Ms. Magayi developed a safer, cleaner stove, called the Mukuru Clean Stove. Ms. Magayi’s stoves use a different fuel that’s cheaper and pollutes far less than charcoal stoves. Currently, over 200,000 Mukuru Clean Stoves are being used in Kenya.

Build a Waste-Free World

A London-based company called Notpla (for “Not Plastic”) won the prize for building a waste-free world. They’ve created a plastic substitute from seaweed. Unlike most plastic, their products break down naturally with no microplastics. Notpla believes their products can help end the plastic pollution that’s filling landfills and polluting oceans. This year alone, the company has made one million Notpla takeaway food boxes, replacing similar plastic-coated boxes.

Fix Our Climate

The Earthshot prize for working toward fixing our climate went to a company called 44. 01. 44. 01 has come up with a way to turn polluting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a rock called peridotite. Once the CO₂ has been turned into rock, it can no longer be released into the atmosphere again. The method that 44. 01 uses is fast, cheap, and permanent.

1. Which prize-winning project benefits farmers a lot?

A．Protect and Restore Nature.

B．Clean Our Air.

C．Build a Waste-Free World.

D．Fix Our Climate.

2. What is unique about the project named Clean Our Air?

A．It deals with plastic waste.

B．It was inspired by one’s personal experience.

C．It is finished cooperatively.

D．It prevents greenhouse gases.

3. What is the purpose of the Earthshot Prize?

A．To find solutions to the biggest global warming problems.

B．To promote people’s awareness of ocean protection.

C．To wake people’s spirits of creativity and contribution.

D．To encourage new ideas and help protect the planet.

3 . Climate activist Henry Emson told Euronews that when he became a father seven years ago, he was worried about his family’s effect on the environment. After doing some research, he found the best way to eliminate their carbon footprint was by planting giant sequoia trees(巨型红杉树).

Giant sequoias are ideal for capturing carbon dioxide because they continue to grow consistently for centuries, storing CO2 over time. General Sherman, the world’s largest sequoia tree, has stored an estimated 1,500 tons of CO2 in its trunk over the last 2,200 years and could live another 800 years. The average human could generate close to 1,000 tons of CO2 over their lifetime, so planting one giant sequoia could effectively reduce the carbon footprint of more than one person.

After realizing the power giant sequoias have to fight climate change, Emson devoted his life to planting thousands in the UK by creating the One Life One Tree project. Its final goal is to plant 100,000 giant sequoias in the UK by 2030, and according to The Mirror, as of March 2022, it has already planted 700. Trees are currently being planted near Abergavenny in Wales and the project is expanding to Devon, the Lake District and Scotland.

While the common assumption is that these giant trees can only be grown in Northern California, they actually do well in the UK at a time when the sequoia population is threatened back home.

According to One Tree One Life, 95% of the old-growth sequoia population has been logged over the past two centuries and what remains is under threat from climate change. “A 10 year＋ drought and temperature increase have greatly damaged the health of the trees. A secondary impact of the drought is making them increasingly susceptible(易受影响的)to insect attack and fire,” the site says.

Considering the danger that climate change is causing giant sequoias in California, Emson’s work also benefits these trees. “They’re like climate refugees(难民)—we help them with assisted migration,” he told Euronews.

1. What does the underlined word “eliminate” in the first paragraph probably mean?

A．Measure.

B．Remove.

C．Overlook.

D．Spread.

2. How does the text mainly show giant sequoias’ ability to store CO2?

A．By giving an example.	B．By doing an experiment.
C．By making comparisons.	D．By referring to comments.

3. Why did Henry Emson launch the One Life One Tree project?

A．To protect the environment by planting trees.

B．To test the adaptability of giant sequoia trees.

C．To save different kinds of endangered trees.

D．To prove the value of giant sequoias to his kids.

4. What can be learned about Henry Emson’s work?

A．It disturbs the whole ecosystem of California.

B．It indirectly turns giant sequoias into refugees.

C．It helps promote the survival of giant sequoias.

D．It assists California in recovering from drought.

4 . With climate change on track to destroy the world’s coral reefs, scientists race to create a new super-coral that can survive extreme temperatures.

A type of microscopic algae called Symbiodiniaceae lives within most coral’s tissues. The two organisms have been living dependently for hundreds of millions of years in a way that resembles the relationship between humans and trees. The algae consume coral’s waste products, and coral consumes nutrients that the algae photosynthesize. Coral also provides shelter for algae. But when exposed to too much heat or light, the algae release harmful chemicals, so the coral casts them out. Left without their main energy source, the coral will starve to death. This is also bad news for the algae. But natural evolution has provided a biological feedback loop that can help the two reunite.

One of the compounds that algae release when water becomes hot, called DMs, bubbles up to the surface of the water and forms a thin layer, which shields the coral like a natural, on-demand layer of sunscreen. With this protection, the water cools down and algae can return to the coral and reestablish their partnership unless the water is too hot, in which case the coral consumes the components that make up DMs before it can form.

Climate change is becoming too intense for coral and algae to naturally adapt fast enough. Therefore, scientists are testing out different ways to accelerate that adaptation through various methods of assisted evolution. Some teams are currently conducting small field trials of selective breeding, where they identify the most heat-tolerant members of a sample of corals. Then they breed them together to create offspring that can be used to help restore coral reefs. Others are focusing their efforts on speeding up the algae’s adaptation, attempting to increase its heat tolerance in labs.

Ultimately, scientists may implement a cocktail of solutions to save coral reefs. “To create a super-coral, we could, for example, selectively breed heat-tolerant corals and combine that with enhanced algae, ” says van Oppen.

1. What can we learn about Paragraph 2?

A．The algae release damaging substances when exposed to heat.

B．The coral eats the waste produced by the algae.

C．The algae is to the coral what trees are to humans.

D．The coral will die from harmful chemicals when it’s too hot.

2. When the water is too hot, natural evolution fails to help because _______.

A．DMS can’t be formed	B．the sunscreen layer is destroyed
C．the coral consumes DMS	D．the algae release too much DMS

3. How is Paragraph 4 mainly developed?

A．By analyzing causes.	B．By making a comparison.
C．By presenting approaches.	D．By describing a process.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The role played by the algae within the coral.

B．The way to create a super-coral to save reefs.

C．Selective breeding conducted among corals.

D．Scientists’ efforts to increase algae’s heat tolerance.

5 . A change to organic dairy farming around the nature reserves could significantly reduce damage done to the areas by nitrogen produced by solid waste from cows, according to a research.

Concentrated animal farming near Natura 2000 areas was banned in 2002. However, 800 farms still remain in the outer edge of these protected areas, some of which are particularly damaging to the environment.

Researchers looked at 34 organic farms to see how organic farming practices compared with those large-scale factory farms. They found that cows at organic farms produced 22% less nitrogen in their waste, while the amount of emissions per hectare(公顷)was 53% lower.

“The reason why organic farming is less polluting is that farms generally have fewer cows and don’t use fertilizer,” said researchers. Organic cows are also put out to grassland more often and aren’t given concentrates(精饲料)to the same degree, which also limits emissions.

While organic dairy farms would make a good protective barrier against nitrogen around the nature reserves, this doesn’t hold true for organic chicken and pig farms, the research showed.

“Despite the good it would do, not many dairy farmers are likely to make the change,” researcher Gerard Migchels said. “The organic sector is currently relatively small. Growth is only possible if there is enough market demand. That would make it possible to come to a realistic price for organic milk,” he said.

In 2019, some 40,000 cows in the Netherlands were farmed organically, accounting for just 1% of the Dutch herd of 3.8 million.

According to a government report, 46% of nitrogen compound(复合物)pollution around nature reserves is down to agriculture, to which dairy farming contributes 60%. The new law on nitrogen emissions aims to reduce pollution by 40% by 2025 and 74% by 2035.

1. What can we infer about organic dairy farming around nature reserves from the text?

A．It helps dairy farmers collect nitrogen.	B．It is relatively environmentally friendly.
C．It has replaced traditional dairy farming.	D．It saves dairy farmers a great deal of trouble.

2. What is special about organic cows?

A．They eat less grass.	B．They are often larger in size.
C．Their waste contains less nitrogen.	D．Their waste can also serve as fertilizer.

3. How might Gerard Migchels feel about the current situation of organic dairy farming?

A．Rather hopeless.	B．Fairly content.
C．Particularly surprised.	D．Kind of sad.

4. What’s the author’s main purpose of writing this text?

A．To introduce the benefit of organic dairy farming.

B．To compare different types of farming practices.

C．To seek financial support for organic dairy farming.

D．To encourage people to drink more organic milk.

6 . According to the World Food Program, one third of the food of the world is lost or wasted. It’s up to some 1.3 billion tons every year, worth about $1 trillion. Moreover, a report in 2021 Sugests that 8 to10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (排放) are associated with wasting food.

“For our parents and the older generations,‘clearing your plate’ is more about saving some food for a rainy day.”Liu Jichen, founder and CEO of Clear Plate, an anti-food wasting program, told us.

The idea for Clear Plate came to Liu after one dinner at a restaurant in late 2017. The customers who finished all the food they’d ordered would be given a card, and then they could exchange their cards for rewards. “Yet it was limited to one restaurant’s actions, so I thought, why not try it on a larger scale (规模)? And how?” Liu wondered. And then he teamed up with some of his friends,founded a startup and developed the Clear Plate applet.

“The Clear Plate team is trying to deal with the issue (问题) of food waste. After a meal, users of WeChat take photos of their clean plates, post these on WeChat, collect points, and then exchange their points for gifts or charity donations,” Liu explained.

Starting in 2018, Clear Plate has now more than 4.3 million users with about 45 million participations in anti-food wasting actions, reducing food waste by 1,700 tons and carbon emissions by 6,600 tons. Liu’s determination represents a small change of the Chinese lifestyle and more people are turning toward a healthier, greener and more low-carbon lifestyle.

1. How much food of the world is wasted every year according to the World Food Program?

A．About 1 billion tons.	B．About 1.3 billion tons.
C．About 8 billion tons.	D．About 10 billion tons.

2. What would customers get if they finished all the food they’d ordered according to Para.3?

A．A plate.

B．A point.

C．A photo.

D．A card.

3. In which year did Clear Plate start according to the text?

A．In 2016.

B．In 2017.

C．In 2018.

D．In 2021.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The program Clear Plate.

B．The World Food Program.

C．The world food wasting.

D．An introduction to WeChat.

8 . Gracing every continent of the Earth, wetlands are essential to the planet’s health, often compared to its vital organs， acting as arteries (动脉)that carry water and as kidneys(肾脏)that filter(过滤)harmful substances.

Wetlands serve as protectors: they form protective barriers against tsunamis and absorb the excess rainfall. During the dry season in dry climates, wetlands release the stored water which helps delay the attack of drought and reduce water shortages. They also store vast quantities of carbon, helping ease climate change. Home to some of the most diverse and rich ecosystems, wetlands support one billion people.40 percent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.

World Wetlands Day is observed each year on 2 February to increase people’s understanding ofthe importance of wetlands and raise awareness of the urgent need to protect the threatened natural treasure.

“We are proud to join in this celebration and recognize the unique and valuable ecosystemservices provided by wetlands. We are committed to doing our part to conserve and protect wetlands,and we are calling on all of you to join us in this vital cause,” said UNCCD (The United NationsConvention to Combat Desertification) Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.

To date, nearly 90 percent of the world’s wetlands have been degraded or lost,with 35 percentin the last 5O years alone. That is why on this World Wetlands Day,UNCCD is joining the RamsarConvention on Wetlands and other partners to highlight the examples of countries and communities making strides in wetland restoration.

As stressed by the UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw, successful wetland restoration requires a joint effort from governments, civil society and the private sector. Investments in science for technology innovation, infrastructure for effective management and financial mechanisms for project implementation(实施)can turn the tide toward a better futurefor wetlands.

1. Why are wetlands essential to us?

A．They help fight against viruses.

B．They offer clean drinking water.

C．They maintain ecological balance.

D．They prevent the natural disasters.

2. How does the author present the current situation of wetlands in paragraph 5?

A．By giving examples.

B．By listing figures.

C．By making comparisons.

D．By analyzing causes.

3. What do the underlined words “turn the tide” mean in paragraph 6?

A．Follow the trend.	B．Break the ice.
C．Run the risk.	D．Change the game.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Wetland ecosystem.

B．Wetland restoration.

C．Wetland exploration.

D．Wetland biodiversity.

9 . The African penguin lives on St. Croix island off the east coast of South Africa. A new study has found that they are leaving their natural environment to escape noisy ship refueling (补给燃料) activities.

The African penguins once mainly raised babies on this island. But the population has dropped sharply since South Africa started permitting ships in the area to refuel at sea six years ago, the study found.

Lorien Pichegru is acting director of the Coastal and Marine Research Institute at Nelson Mandela University, which led the study. She said the organization had found that noise levels in the area had doubled since the refueling activities began. Scientists say high noise levels affect the ability of penguins to find and catch other animals for food. Noise also makes it more difficult for them to communicate with each other and map travel paths. ‌“This year we are at 1,200 breeding pairs at St Croix from 8,500 pairs in 2016,” Pichegru said.

The study recently appeared in the publication Science of the Total Environment. The researchers said the study is the first to explore the effects of ocean traffic noise pollution on a seabird.

Nelson Mandela University’s study collected some data to estimate underwater noise from passing ships. Oil-covered penguins were found in 2019 in Algoa Bay after an oil spill from ship-to-ship refueling. Environmental groups have called for the activities to be banned in the bay.

Pichegru said penguins in the area were already struggling to survive because of a series of issues, including industrial fishing activities. She added that the refueling activities did not kill all the penguins. However, ‌“It was just the thing that made the whole ecology tip over and then the penguins couldn’t cope with that,” she said.

1. What has the new study found about penguins?

A．They have difficulty in raising babies.	B．They can get used to noisy ships easily.
C．Their population is on the increase.	D．They are forced to leave the natural environment.

2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The value of Lorien Pichegru’s job.	B．The importance of ship refueling activities.
C．The ability of Penguins to find food.	D．Bad effects of noises on Penguins.

3. What might Pichegru agree with?

A．The penguins should be put in control.

B．Fishing activities should be greatly encouraged.

C．Refueling activities should be strictly managed.

D．The penguins should develop their survival abilities.

4. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A diary.

B．A guidebook.

C．A textbook.

D．A magazine.