20100422 Earth Day's 40th Anniversary (1)

Earth Day's 40th Anniversary

Over a billion worldwide are celebrating our planet

Today people all over the world celebrate a truly global event. Earth Day aims to promote the protection of the earth's environment. Since 1970, this day has been helping people, compani es and countries become green.

Earth Day began with around 20 million Americans demonstration in streets, parks and schools. Now, over 1 billion people in 180 countries observe this day. Earth Day Network has asked people to register and complete one "act of green" today. An act might be picking up garbage or making a commute to work more efficient.

People have been recording their acts on the network's website. The network hopes for 1 billion acts in total! Since this year marks Earth Day's 40th anniversary, different activities will go on all week. On April 25th, people will gather for official celebrations in 40 major cities worldwide. They will celebrate the countless green accomplishments of the week and the last 40 years.

So join the action. Help the planet and its people by doing something green today.


globe n. 地球
global 全球的/全球性的
=> refer to globe
=> somethimes we use the word globe to talk about the earth, planet or the world
=> the whole world/planet
eg: The decreasing Ozone layer is a global problem that affects all parts of the world.
=> 日益減少的臭氧層，可能是全球性的問題影響世界的每一個部分
=> Only global cooperation can help end the food shortage in developing countries.
=> 發展中國家糧食短缺的問題唯有透過全球性合作協助才能解決



demonstrate 此指抗議或示威
demonstrate against something or someone
=> demostration involves people walking together either public place and
=> usually using signs to share their opinion
eg: Thousands of people were on the streets demonstrating against the new tax policy.
=> 上千人走上街頭抗議新的稅制

demonstration n. 抗議/示威
eg: The anti-war demonstration lasted for a long time.
=> 反戰的示威持續了一段很長的時間

register 登記/註冊
eg: You need to register first then you can have access to the website.
=> 要進入這個網站前要先登入
eg: All trainees need to register before entering the new quarter.
=> 所有的學員要進入新的寢室之前都要先註冊

go green
=> become a little more friendly to the enviroment

//== Chat room ==//

litter
eg: Do not litter.
eg: Don't be a litter bug.

garbage/trash 垃圾(美國人)

rubbish n. 垃圾(英國人)

junk 除了指垃圾也可指破銅爛鐵
=> something is worn out, can be throw away.
=> We might call broken furniture junk.
=> 有些人家堆積了很多junk，那不是垃圾，那只是主人不捨得丟掉的破舊的東西

refuse n. 廢棄物(注意發音)
=> more formal term that refers to waste
=> 一般會話比較少用

refuse v. 拒绝



//== More Information ==//

Here are 6 Ways to Go Green:
1. Ride a bike or car pool to work.
2. Make sure the light bulbs in your house are efficient.
3. Always take your own bags to the grocery store.
4. Use things (like bags and containers) at least two limes or more.
5. Avoid buying bottled water. But if you do, reuse the bottle.
6. Take your own chopsticks when you eat out.

//== Grammar on the go ==//

Earth Day began with around 20 million Americans demonstrating in streets, parks and schools.
Earth day began with around 20 million Americans. They were demonstrating in streets, parks and schools.

當有兩個句子的主詞一樣時，可以省略第二個句子的主詞，並將第二個句子的動詞改成Ving形式

Tom saw Fred is in the cafeteria. He is eating
= Tom saw Fred is eating in the cafeteria.

Sandra saw him in the classroom. He was practicing his speech.
= Sandra saw him practicing his speech in the classroom.