人教高中英语必修6 Unit 4 Small things to save the earth

人教高中英语必修6 Unit 4 Small things to save the earth

Small things to save the earth

一次次的研究证实：全球变暖正在发生，而且主要是由人类的活动所致。唯一不确定的就是还有多久以及它将以什么样的方式来终止我们的存在。为了拯救地球，让我们每个人都从身边的小事做起，行动起来！

Study after study has proven that global warming is already occurring and that it is caused mainly by human activities. The only uncertainties are how soon and in what ways it will stop our existence. Stronger storms? Flooded coastlines? Harsher droughts? More diseases? Not to mention that our waterways, food, and air are already polluted to dangerous levels in many areas, affecting our health and quality of life every day.

But there is still time to act, and our great-great- grandchildren will thank us for living a more sustainable (可持续的) life. So, how can we live an eco-friendly life and save money at the same time? Let’s share some ideas on how to go green at home and at work.

1. Re-route your commute. Walk or bike to work and save money on gas and parking while improving your health and reducing your risk of overweight.

2. Change the thermostat (恒温器) setting and install (安装) energy-saving devices.

Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in winter and a few degrees higher in summer can save a large amount of energy.

3. Skip the bottled water at the grocery or convenience stores. Filter（过滤） your tap water for drinking rather than use bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it produces large amounts of container waste.

4. Think twice about new electronics. E-waste from discarded cell phones and computers is a growing environmental problem. A mountain of electronic waste is being shipped abroad illegally by workers with little protection against the mercury（汞）and other poisonous things they contain. Keep your electronics as long as possible and deal with them responsibly when