Geothermal (地热的) power generation is one of our most stable renewable energy resources. Heat generated below the Earth's surface can provide an almost unlimited supply to power and heat homes. And while geothermal electricity only accounts for around one percent of global generation, that is set to at least triple by 2050.
The Geysers in California is the world's largest geothermal electricity complex. It produces enough electricity from its 18 power plants for 725,000 homes, totaling 20 percent of the state's renewable energy. Superheated "dry steam" is channeled from a large sandstone reservoir heated by a large magma chamber (岩浆房) more than four miles beneath the surface.
Heat is captured from its passage through the rock and the heated water converts into electricity. Cooled water is then recycled and pumped back to gather more heat. EGS (enhanced geothermal systems) technologies will open up many more sites for geothermal energy. "You can effectively put a power plant anywhere," said Will Pettit, director of the Geothermal Resources Council. "All you have to do is drill deep enough and you will find hot rock."
Most geothermal plants actually use a flash steam technique, where hot water (at 360F or 180C) is drawn up, passed into lower pressure tanks and flashed into steam to power a turbine (涡轮机). Binary cycle (双元循环) plants are the growth technology because they can operate at lower water temperatures and more diverse geographical locations. They use moderately hot water to heat a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point—as low as 135F—to drive turbines.
Geothermal plants already emit 11 times less carbon dioxide per unit of electricity than the average US coal power plant. They can also operate 24 hours a day to provide a solid base load for homes and businesses.
There are drawbacks too. Seismic activity around drilling wells is a factor. High investment costs are another. But the US government is backing the sector with multi-million dollar funds to push forward advanced EGS research. Geothermal energy is set to play a big part in the low-carbon electricity future.
America has long been crazy about weight loss. New diets continue to come up; diet and exercise apps are on the rise. It's no wonder more people are on diets now than were a decade ago and 4 out of 10 Americans consider themselves to be overweight.
While healthy eating and exercise are important to the length and quality of life, too many people think of weight loss pills as a shorter path to removing extra pounds instead of as a sometimes-useful tool for the individuals they've been approved for. There are actually many dangers connected with weight loss pills and it is not recommended that they be taken without seeking advice from the doctor.
For the right person, weight loss pills can be a helpful tool in weight management, but they are usually only suggested for people with extreme fatness and after other weight loss treatments such as diet and exercise have been put into one's lifestyle first.
While there is no shortage in the number of weight loss pills on the market, only six drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration（FDA）for long-term use. All but one of these drugs work to either control hunger or to help one feel full after meals. Such FDA-approved drugs are intended to be used by people struggling with significant extra weight and not by anyone looking to drop a few pounds by chance.
For everyone else, a healthy diet and exercise is usually all that is recommended. It is accepted that we do need to pay much more attention to preventing weight problems early in life through healthy diets and regular physical activities, rather than waiting to respond to developed fatness and illnesses. That's especially true when considering some risks of weight-loss drugs. They are recommended when the benefit of taking them to reduce weight is greater than the risk of side effects or other consequences of these medicines.
These medicines are best used with a complete diet and lifestyle program that can improve results, and when there is a doctor reviewing developing side effects to make adjustments to reduce risk.
Humans' overconsumption of resources is a leading contributor to global climate change, says University of Arizona researcher Sabrina Helm. Therefore, it's increasingly important to understand the choices consumers make and how those decisions affect the health of a planet with limited resources. In a new study, published in the journal Young Consumers, Helm and her colleagues explore how materialistic values influence pro-environmental (环保的) behaviors in millennials, who are now the nation's most influential group of consumers.
The researchers focused on two main categories of pro-environmental behaviors: reduced consumption, which includes actions like repairing instead of replacing older items; and "green buying," or purchasing products designed to limit environmental impacts. The researchers also looked at how engaging in pro-environmental behaviors affects consumer well-being.
More materialistic participants, the researchers found, were unlikely to engage in reduced consumption. However, materialism did not seem to have an effect on their likelihood of practicing "green buying." That's probably because "green buying," unlike reduced consumption, still offers a way for materialists to fulfill their desire to get new items, Helm said.
Study participants who reported having fewer materialistic values were much more likely to engage in reduced consumption. Consuming less was, in turn, linked to higher personal well-being and lower psychological suffering. Green buying—which may have some positive environmental effects, although to a smaller degree than reduced consumption—was not found to improve consumer well-being, Helm said.
The take-home message for consumers: "The key is to reduce consumption and not just buy green stuff. Having less and buying less can actually make us more satisfied and happier," Helm said. "If you have a lot of stuff, you have a lot on your mind," she said. "For example, it requires maintenance and there's a lot of burdens of ownership, and if you relieve yourself of that burden of ownership, most people report feeling a lot better and freer."
Helm and her colleagues additionally looked at how materialism affects millennial consumers' proactive (积极的) financial behaviors, such as budgeting and saving. Examining financial behaviors alongside pro-environmental behaviors provides a picture of how young adults proactively deal with resource limitations in two contexts: environmental and financial, Helm said.
As expected, Helm and her colleagues found that those who reported having more materialistic values engaged in fewer proactive financial behaviors than their less materialistic counterparts (对应的人). The researchers also found that, consistent with previous studies, proactive financial behaviors were associated with better personal well-being, life satisfaction and financial satisfaction, as well as lower psychological suffering.
Understanding how materialistic values impact consumer behaviors, and how those behaviors in turn affect personal and environmental well-being, is important, Helm said. However, she acknowledges that for many consumers, shifting behaviors to be more financially proactive and consume less will be challenging.
Our new festival offers a broad range of walking tours that will entertain and inform in equal measures. The walks are hosted by experienced tour guides.
Magical Musical Tour
October 15-17
1.5 miles—Linear
Roll up for a magical musical tour of the English Riviera, exploring the fascinating and unexpected songs that were written in, or have associations with Torbay. Join local music lovers as they take you on a Torquay walk, pausing to hear the songs in their relevant locations and hearing the stories behind them. The price varies from £82.50.
Experience a Working Farm
October 191 mile—Circular
This walk begins with a short walk around Occombe Farm meeting all the farm animals, while hearing the story of its development as a major tourist attraction on the English Riviera. Afterwards, guests will have a chance to listen to a talk about its organic farming methods. And then, why not wander around the impressive on-site shop with its delicious range of farm foods and gifts? Booking online is required. Cost : £30.
Sidmouth Walking Festival
September 17-23
It runs each September for one week, from Saturday to Friday. The town of Sidmouth enjoys "Walkers are Welcome" status and is keen to promote the walking opportunities in the area. The 5 linear walks will cover the whole of the town. Shorter circular walks will allow you to sample parts of the town. All walks are free of charge.
Mendip Ramblers Festival
October 27-29
1 mile—CircularOur annual Walking Festival will be based in the Somerset village of Stratton-on-the-Fosse which straddles (横跨) the Fosse Way. The countryside in this area is varied, with opportunities for quite gentle walks as well as challenging ones. This is a free festival, no booking required!
United Airlines recently changed its boarding process in an attempt to save two minutes per plane on the ground. It remains to be seen how effective the new policy for boarding its planes will be, but its success will mainly depend on how willing people are to wait their turn.
Lining up to board a plane has become a clear indicator of how our society has commodified (使商品化) the very act of waiting. The more you pay, the sooner you can get on the plane. It's not just airlines; it's also museums, online purchases and amusement parks where VIP status can help you avoid lines. When did the act of waiting get such bad fame?
The very act of waiting can actually enhance our appreciation of something. We enjoy the anticipation like a child waiting for Christmas or summer vacation. Perhaps the person waiting in line to see their favorite singer perform in concert favors the night more because of the time invested in getting into the venue.
But as our world has sped up, this desirable balance between instant and delayed satisfaction is at ever greater odds with the current expectations of many, if not most, people. This change has a negative impact on mental health both individually and collectively. When we denigrate the act of waiting, we risk losing an important part of our shared humanity.
But the capacity to wait is a foundational part of a civilized society and thus an important skill to have. If we lose our ability to stand in line or wait our turn, we suffer from the stress of a world on steroids(类固醇). If we label people who wait as "losers", we release greatly primitive urges to grab what's ours at any cost with no concern about those we leave behind. We see the people in line as "others", not like us, and that dehumanization is dangerous.
In today's digital world, chances are that your online activities and digital consumption take up a large part of your day and perhaps your life. It's true that there're many benefits to the digital world. For example, it can be challenging for your mood and boost feelings of anxiety, fear and depression. Although a person might be consuming positive digital content, they could be overdoing the amount of screen time. The amount of screen time you have can affect the quality of your sleep. It can even affect your brain, eyes, mental health and general health, according to Ohio State Health &Discovery.
For example, it's a good idea to establish a boundary with your digital devices and online platforms. Social media and other online entertainment platforms can be very entertaining. To avoid this, you can set times and download apps that help you track your digital use and prevent you spending more time on your devices than you want.
You can also create a digital curfew (宵禁) for yourself. Experiencing device-free meal time can be extremely rewarding and healthy for the entire family.
This is true in the real world as well as in the digital world. Choose to spend your online time in places that make you feel good, like Goodnet, and carry out mindful consumption strategies. Prioritizing your physical and mental health is important, and you deserve to lead an enjoyable quality life.
A. It's important to organize your daily digital diet wisely.
B. Enjoy your time off line and meal time with your friends.
C. However, constantly reading negative news is a bad thing.
D You're in charge of your life and you can choose your surroundings.
E. As a result, they can become a black hole, taking up most of your time.
F. Thankfully, there are some strategies to help you reduce your screen time.
G. Just choose a time, like at meals, during which you disconnect from your devices.
Cultural intelligence, or cultural quotient (CQ) is the ability to manage cultural diversity. It also involves understanding and appreciating cultural differences and being able to adapt to those differences.
For one thing, it can help you avoid misunderstandings and communication breakdowns with people from other cultures. For another, it enables you to build strong relationships with them. Want to improve your CQ? Try the following tips.
If you're unfamiliar with the culture, chances are you're not going to adapt well to it. So the first practical aspect of CQ you need to improve is your CQ drive. This drive is the first step towards higher CQ that may help you be open to new possibilities. All you have to do is explore the new situation you find yourself in.
After you've motivated yourself to get a bit more familiar with the culture, it's time to go one step further. Of course, this doesn't mean you need to become an expert in the said culture. Simply, you should try to get to know the ways in which that culture forms and influences its people's values and behavior.
Lastly, you need to use what you have learned and come up with a strategy that will help you improve your CQ. You can expose yourself to various media. This is a useful and easily accessible way to learn about how culture affects behavior. Again, it helps if you learn the language of the culture. This may open a whole new world for you.
A. You should broaden your CQ knowledge.
B. There are many benefits of having high CQ.
C. To be culturally intelligent is no easy matter.
D. This means your motivation to learn about a different culture.
E. Seek out opportunities to interact with people from other cultures.
F. This ability is not limited to your cultural sensitivity and awareness.
G. It can help you better understand people from other cultures as well.
One of the reasons why we preserve historic places is that they can continue to tell the stories of our history for the next generation. But what if the next generation doesn't understand the value and significance of these places? Here are four things to do with kids in the classroom or at home to get them involved in and excited about historic preservation.
Talk to the neighbours. Encourage kids to talk to the neighbours who have lived on their street for a longtime. Find out what they remember about living there and about the people who have moved on. Maybe they have old photographs of how the street and houses used to look. Oral (口述的) histories are an invaluable resource and provide a link to the places of our past.
Visit a historic site. Take kids to visit a historic site in your area, or stop by the local historical society or museum. You can often find an original map of the surrounding area at the historical society or museum. Make a project out of comparing old maps to today's roads and neighbourhoods.What has stayed the same?
Ask your historical society or local preservation organisation if there are any projects that your kids can get involved in. Help clean up and repair buildings or plant trees in or around historic areas.
Create a historical record for a landmark (遗址). Brainstorm the items that should be included in ahistorical record , like photographs, construction dates, architectural styles and features, and stories of who lived there or used the building and for what. What kinds of things would someone want to know about this place in 50 or 100 years?
A. What has changed?
B. Take part in a community project.
C. Create a historic walking tour of your city.
D. Then, put together your own historical record.
E. Do they tell different stories from different ages?
F. You can also consider recording the conversation.
G. That's why it's important to get kids involved in historic preservation.
Two giant pandas, Jinxi and Zhuyu, (leave) for the Madrid Zoo in Spain next Monday for a 10-year residency, according to the China Wildlife Conservation Association on Wednesday. The panda couple come from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
This action (base) on the agreement on international conservation cooperation and research of giant pandas. It is (further) the friendship of the two countries ④(build) upon pandas. According to the reports, three Spain-born giant pandas, together with their parents, returned to China on February after living in Spain for more than a decade.
all preparations made before transportation, the Chinese and Spanish sides are actively making efforts to ensure that the two giant pandas (safe) arrive at Madrid Zoo. It will be helpful for them to adapt the new environment.
According to the Xinhua News, the base has customized special air transport cage to ensure that pandas can move freely, feed and rest inside the cage, and that the temperature inside the cabin is maintained at a (suit) level. It is also arranged a sufficient amount of fresh and high-quality local bamboo and bamboo shoots in Sichuan are prepared.
In a classic tale, Hansel and Gretel dropped breadcrumbs (面包屑) while walking through a (risk) forest so that they wouldn't lose their way. Drawing inspiration from this, scientists believe rovers (探测器) may one day use a similar trick to move across other planets losing their data.
Typically, all the information a rover (gather) before will be lost if it permanently loses communication during a mission. (avoid) this, scientists suggest using a multi-rover system in which a "son rover" is connected to a "mother rover". The son rover would then go into any especially uncertain area, such as a cave, (move) on to spread sensors the size of breadcrumbs along the way, which could then communicate (direct) with each other through a wireless network and channel any collected data back to the mother rover. As a (prove) of concept, theoretical physicist Wolfgang Fink's team built their first "breadcrumb" sensors communicating via Wi-Fi.
This is just one of the most impressive applications come to your knowledge in terms of the breadcrumb strategy. It can also be useful here on Earth because a rover can (send) with the "breadcrumb" sensors to disaster-stricken areas and transfer(传送) the information to people, no matter dangerous it is.
In December， 2021， a draft revision (修正草案) to the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests (submit) to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for the first review.
Over the past 30 years， the law， (mark) the first major revision to the law since 1992， has played a big role in helping ensure equality between women and men nationwide. "But women's rights in some areas haven't been (effect) guaranteed， and some old problems still exist，'' said He Yiting， official from the NPC's Social Development Affairs Committee， when explaining the draft to lawmakers.
The revision adds a definition "discrimination (歧视) against women" and stipulates (规定) that the country shall take necessary measures gradually (improve) the protection of their rights and interests. One of the (propose) is to ask local governments at all levels to ensure that public spots have more women's toilets than men's， has led to heated online discussion on Sina Weibo. Studies show that women use the restroom for 249 seconds on average， far (many) than the 170 seconds(spend) by men. Yet the square footage (建筑面积) of men's and women's public restrooms is the same， the Beijing News reported.
I had always felt like I didn't fit in at school. My true friends weren't in the crowd of1 kids in school, either.
Parading before me was "the fun group"—the popular kids—always laughing and whispering (低语).I wanted to be just like them and wished to be2 .
Later, my dream came true when I joined a cheerleading team. Immediately, I3 a lot—new dressing style and a new group of4 . Everything I had wanted to be, I was. I was5 one of the popular kids.
However, the more I was included with the "in-crowd", the more confused I became.6 these people were far from7 . They talked behind each other's backs while they8 to be best friends. They9 what I was wearing, but they weren't concerned about what my dreams were. I began to feel a sense of loss and 10 .
Worst of all, I11 that I was becoming just like them. I decided I had to get my life back12 .I concentrated on finding out who my real friends were—the ones who really mattered. I stayed with cheerleading, but I13 playing with only the popular kids. I found out that my real friends had never14 me. They were simply waiting for me. I finally learnt that my15 friends were all I would ever need.
