1 . Many experts are calling the growing problem of global waste a worldwide health crisis in since pollution from trash is not only harming the world’s oceans, air and soil but also endangering people’s health as well as the livelihood of all living creatures.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Such a dilemma raises the question, is there a more responsible way of dealing with trash? Fortunately, there is.
Circular economy
Traditionally, manufacturers would make a product to be used and disposed of by consumers. This linear (直线型的) model of production offered no help in the fight against global waste.
Once a product’s value is exhausted, the materials are recycled and returned to manufacturers. The outcome is less waste. One large-scale example of this is happening on the island of Taiwan.
In 1997, Taiwan established its signature 4-in-1 Recycling Program, consisting of communities, government cleaning teams, recycling companies and the Recycling Fund. Residents separate their recyclable waste. The local government collection teams collect it.
Turning garbage into gold
By following a circular system, more products than ever are being manufactured using recycled materials. Environmentally-friendly decisions like these help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, save landfill space and even create new job opportunities.
| A．Practices in Taiwan |
| B．4-in-1 Recycling Program |
| C．Recycling can truly turn garbage into gold |
| D．Living a zero-waste lifestyle is the way to go |
| E．Alternatively, a circular economy was introduced |
| F．The recyclable waste is recycled in many local factories |
| G．Recycling companies buy waste materials from them to make profits |
2 . The world’s nights are getting brighter and brighter as light pollution invades darkness almost everywhere. Researchers found that Earth’s artificially lit outdoor area grew by 2% a year from 2012 to 2016. So did night time brightness. Light pollution was even worse than that, according to the German-led team, because the light sensor(感应器) cannot recognize some of the LED lighting that is becoming more widespread, specifically blue light.
“Honestly, I had hoped that with LEDs we were improving the situation. But it turns out quite disappointing.” said Kyba, the lead author of the study.
“Asia, Africa and South America, for the most part, saw an increase in artificial night lighting. More and more places are fixing outdoor lighting, due to its low cost and the growth in communities’ wealth,” the scientists said.
The biological effect from the increasing man-made light is obvious, according to the researchers. People’s sleep can be damaged, which in turn can affect their health. The living behavior of birds, fish, insects and bats can be interrupted. And forget about seeing stars or the Milky Way if the pollution continues.
“Many people are using light at night without really thinking about the cost, ” said Franz Holker, one of the co-authors. “Not just the economic cost, but also the cost that you have to pay for environmental damage.”
1. Why is the night becoming increasingly brighter?| A．Artificial light is used in larger areas. |
| B．The light sensors fail to work properly. |
| C．LED lighting gives off too much blue light. |
| D．More families afford to use lighting at home. |
| A．a more balanced sleeping schedule |
| B．reduced cost of lighting during the night |
| C．a better view of stars and the Milky Way |
| D．harmful biological effects on some animals |
| A．A tourist guide. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．A biology textbook. | D．A medical report. |
