Lithium (锂) is called “white gold” for good reason. The metal’s value has been growing rapidly over the last several years, mainly because it is an essential material of lithium-ion batteries, which play an important part in several key sustainable technologies, e. g. electric cars.

As ocean waves, wind and solar power have grown into major players in the energy industry, lithium has also become key to building a future free of petrol. But getting lithium comes at a huge cost. As with most metals, its mining is damaging. It often works like this: Briny water, containing lithium and other metals, is pumped to the surface from underground. Then it sits in pools to allow the water to evaporate, leaving the rest behind as poisonous matter. Workers use chemical reactions to remove the lithium from that, making it into powder which is then packaged and shipped to the buyers around the world. Any accident that releases mine matter into surrounding communities or the groundwater supply could have damaging long-term impacts.

Indigenous (原住民) communities often bear the result of the damage, and political leaders have paid little attention to their concerns. In Arizona, for example, an expanding lithium mine is threatening the Hualapai Tribe’s historical sites. And for politicians who have promised to work with native peoples to deal with it, mining lithium and other precious metals is putting them into a dilemma: How do you ensure the availability of materials which are essential to the future while protecting indigenous people’ rights?

Mining of the metal is expected to increase greatly in coming years. Over time, that will make electric cars inexpensive and, therefore, more popular.

As environmentally conscious consumers buy electric cars in ever-greater numbers, it’s important to be aware of the dirty process that powers those clean air vehicles.

Going on holiday doesn’t have to be bad for the environment, and there are still plenty of ways you can have a much-deserved break without harming the environment.

Forget planes. While most forms of transport produce carbon dioxide, planes have a massive carbon footprint because of the huge number of miles they travel. 【小题1】 Many of us ignore the endless beautiful scenery around us. There’s the unparalleled beauty of the Mississippi River. Alternatively, you can drive your car to the Grand Canyon to see its splendor.

Pack with care.【小题2】 All of their bottles, from shampoo and conditioner to body wash and moisturizer, are now made from recycled plastic that can be repurposed again and again so no new plastic is produced.And their iconic soap bars now also come in plastic-free packaging.

【小题3】Hotels can be huge producers of greenhouse gases. Think about the water that’s wasted and all the buffet food that goes uneaten. So choose an eco-friendly option instead. Camping and a home stay — where you live with a family in their own home — are two of the best options. But if you insist on staying in the hotel, pick one made from sustainable materials.【小题4】

Buy gifts responsibly.Bringing back gifts for friends and loved ones is part of the fun of a holiday. 【小题5】 Avoid anything plastic, or if it is plastic, make sure it is 100% recyclable, and make sure your friends will love whatever you give them so it isn’t just thrown in the bin headed for landfill.

It is the year 3000. I come to a place where I can’t see any water, plants or animals but black clouds in the sky and sand everywhere. It’s very dry so I drink some water that I carry with me. A native sees what I do and asks “What is it?” I pour some water and tell him it’s called water. “Oh, I’m so lucky that I can see water!” the man shouts in an excited voice. “You have never seen water? But how can you live without water?” I ask.

“Harry, get up, it is 7 o'clock, or you will be late!” a voice comes to my ears. “Oh! What a strange dream I dreamed just now!”

In class, I always think of that dream. And I also think of the fresh air, clean water, blue sky, green plants and animals in our world nowadays. How beautiful our life is!

But in order to make more money, people have built more and more factories. These factories send out waste smoke and water with chemicals which are harmful to the environment. The pollution is becoming worse and worse, and as a result, some animals and plants die out. With the development of agriculture, farmers spray aerosol (喷雾) and fertilizer, which also pollute the water and air. In the street the cars and buses are sending out heavy smoke which pollutes the air badly. Even tourism is harmful to the environment. When some tourists travel somewhere, they throw the plastic bags and rubbish onto the ground.

These behaviors are polluting the environment and the environment will become the greatest problem of the world. We shouldn’t pollute the environment any more. Otherwise more and more animals and plants will disappear. And maybe my dream will come true in the future.