Each year, the world produces more than 300 million tons of plastic waste, which can take a longtime to breakdown. Almost a third of the world’s plastic waste is polypropylene, a hard plastic used to make bottle: caps and food containers that typically take hundreds of years to degrade.

Now, a group of scientists at the University of Sydney, in Australia have developed a solution: using fungi (真菌) found in soils to devour lab samples of polypropylene.

In the experiment, the scientists first weakened pieces of polypropylene plastic by exposing them to heat, chemicals, or ultraviolet (UV) light so the fungi can do their job quickly. Fungi degrade materials like plastic into simpler molecules that they can then get rid of. The usually smooth plastic become full of marks as the fungi carryout their dirty work.

The two fungi, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, made a meal of the plastic in the lab experiments. As the researchers reported, between 25 and 27 percent of samples were digested after 90 days, and the plastic was completely broken down after 140 days.

More than 400 microorganisms have so far been found to degrade plastic naturally, with fungi attracting a fair bit of attention for their ability to degrade all sorts of man-made materials. “Recent studies suggest some fungi may even degrade some of the ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS, but the process is slow and not yet well understood,” explains microbiologist Dee Carter of the University of Sydney.

Currently, the team is testing ways to speed up the degradation process, and assessing the economic and environmental factors of potential commercial use. If the team can transform their laboratory solution into a commercial-scale plastic waste management system, the world will finally have a promising solution to one of our most pressing environmental issues.

Flat Holm, a small island in Britain's Bristol Channel, has no permanent residents and minimal infrastructure（设施）. The pretty land mass is now, however, becoming increasingly popular with tourists wishing to explore the rural landscape and view the island’s seabird colonies.

Though this is welcome news, meeting the island's growing energy needs without ruining its environment poses a challenge. Flat Holm team leader Natalie Taylor says, “As we promote the island more and we get more visitors here, there’s going to be a lot more demand for electricity so it’s really important that we’ve got a really high functioning system that can provide for those people. From an environmental point of view, we want to reduce the use of diesel（柴油）generators so that we can have as small ecological footprints as possible.”

While the Cardiff Council, which oversees the island, considered traditional solar and hydroelectricity, it was reluctant to carry out either, due to their high cost and permanent nature. According to energy and sustainability manager Gareth Harcombe, the officials were seeking a portable option that could be moved if the site was needed for another purpose.

Fortunately, the UK-based company Renovagen had the perfect solution. A small panel can provide 11kW of power within two minutes. A more extensive version, unrolled from a shipping container, can yield 300kW of electricity in less than an hour.

The solar panel “carpets”, laid on the island in early October, are being used to provide electricity to its sole pub and lighthouse. The Cardiff Council also plans to use them to charge two Nissan e-NV200 electric vehicles in the future.

In addition to providing power to remote islands like Flat Holm, Hingley hopes the Rapid Roll technology will be useful in areas affected by natural disasters. A good example is Puerto Rico, where most residents have been without electricity since Hurricane Maria destroyed the power lines in late September.

Saving energy is half the battle won when it comes to protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprints. 【小题1】 They will be good for environment protection and save you some money as well.

Use less electricity. 【小题2】 There are some cities and countries that have successfully implemented alternative energy sources, but many places are still relying on fossil fuels for energy. You can use less energy or electricity by switching off lights and unplugging appliances that are not being used. You can also save on energy by using natural light and warmth for longer.

Use less water. 【小题3】 This will reduce the number of times you need to run the washer and it will ensure efficient use of water. Let the dishes air dry instead of using the washer’s dry cycle to save on energy. Take short showers instead of baths. This will reduce the loss of too much warm water and your water heater working overtime.

【小题4】 Energy Star approved products are products that have been proven to be eco-friendly and will help save the environment, make your home greener, and save you money in the long run. You can find many different types of appliances and equipment with Energy Star approval.

Fix problems. Leaky faucets or pipes, cracks in windows and doors, and poor insulation can all cause an increase in water and energy use. To make sure this doesn’t happen, check all your door and window frames and seal them well if needed. A lot of a home’s heat can get out through those cracks. Leaky faucets and toilets can add quite a big number to your water bill. 【小题5】