A lunch break is an important and often necessary part of our working or school day. It’s time to get something to eat and maybe chat with some friends. And now we’re gradually getting used to plenty of places to buy our lunch from, all offering delicious dishes and sandwiches to eat.

But buying our lunch is not just costing us money, there might be a cost in polluting our planet, too. Just a sandwich and maybe a cake and coffee can produce much waste. Packing paper and plastic are part of disposable (一次性的) materials besides the food waste that we create. Some experts say throwing away food is a big cause of environmental problems.

As for the solution (解决办法) to the problem, according to an environmental group called Hubbub, is to eat packed lunches. Tessa Tricks from the group thinks it’s usually healthier and cheaper to make your own lunch. ▲

Of course, if you don’t have time to prepare your packed lunch and you are going to buy lunch, Hubbub proposes that you should take your own food container (容器) to a shop and ask them to put your food in it. The idea of using reusable coffee cups for hot drinks and refilling water bottles has already been known successful, so this could be another step in the right direction.

The problem with eating is that you might want to carry your food in something that is disposable, so it’s a good idea to make sure it’s something recyclable. The message seems to be that if we give our lunchtime eating habits some thought, we will all make an effort in the climate (气候) change and protecting our environment. That is something for all of us to consider and take action!

Global News

● Man-Made Forest in Singapore

The “forest” is made from steel and concrete (混凝土) covered in local flowers and plants. At night, 18 solar-powered tree-like towers which get their energy from the sun often light up the city. Its designer said the idea was to create “a city in a garden”. Clearly, the special way makes the pubic care about environment.

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By decorating the buildings from top to bottom with more than 20,000 trees and plants, Italian architect (建筑师) Stefano Boeri said he’d want to make trees part of the buildings and create something that could help to reduce pollution. Which types of trees are planted and where the trees are planted depend on the trees’ likes for sunlight.

● Green Corridors (长廊) in Medellin

Medellin has won high praise for its green corridors. Now the 30 corridors full of trees and flowers connect green spaces such as parks and gardens in Medellin. The green corridors have reduced the temperature by two degrees and helped make the air clean. Bees and birds have returned. Now people there live more actively.