常春藤生活英语【118】Strange Ways to Go Green 怪怪环保术

Strange Ways to Go Green 怪怪环保术

There are lots of ideas about how to live greener these days. Some of them are simple, some are more complicated, and some are just totally strange! One strange and somewhat creepy way to be green is called vermicomposting. Regular composting is letting organic waste decompose naturally. A lot of our everyday waste is organic material such as food scraps. Instead of filling up a garbage bag with this kitchen waste, many people choose to compost it. In fact, it is one of the most common ways to be environmentally friendly.

So what is vermicomposting? It is composting with a twist. The "vermi" part of vermicomposting refers to worms. These wiggly creatures love food scraps and are always eager to eat. They can eat up to half their weight in food every day. When worms digest kitchen waste, they help decrease composting time. The result is rich, organic compost that is great for house plants and gardens. Another bonus of vermicomposting is that it cuts down on the bad smell that is created during regular composting.

Vermicomposting is a great choice for people who live in the city or don't have room to compost outside. All you need is a large container with a cover, paper waste, peat moss, some water, and of course, worms. When worms are put to work for the environment, they become superheroes!

近来出现了许多让生活更环保的点子。其中有些点子很简单、有的很复杂，还有一些简直就是奇怪到家！有一个既古怪、还有点恐怖的环保方式叫做蠕虫堆肥法。一般的堆肥就是让有机废料自然分解。我们日常的废弃物中，有许多都是诸如剩菜剩饭等的有机物质。与其让厨余装满垃圾袋，许多人选择把它们拿来堆肥。事实上，这是最为常见的环保方法之一。

那么到底何谓蠕虫堆肥法？那就是一种『加料的』堆肥法。vermicomposting中的vermi指的就是蠕虫。这些扭来扭去的生物最爱剩菜剩饭，而且总是迫不及待要饱餐一顿。牠们每天能吃下多达牠们体重一半的食物。蠕虫在消化厨余时，牠们有助于减少堆肥所需的时间。成果就是产生适合室内植栽及花园的营养有机肥料。蠕虫堆肥法的另一项外带好处就是它能减少一般堆肥过程中所产生的恶臭。

对于城市居民或是没有室外空间可用来堆肥的人而言，蠕虫堆肥法可说是一项绝佳选择。您所需的只是一个附盖的大容器、废弃纸类、泥煤苔、少许水份、当然还有蠕虫。当蠕虫是为了环境而派上用场时，牠们就摇身一变，成了超级英雄！

Building Your Vocabulary

1. somewhat　adv. 有几分，有点儿
I am somewhat angry that Jack was late.
杰克迟到这件事让我有点生气。
2. creepy　a. 令人害怕的，令人毛骨悚然的
That creepy sound gave Ann goosebumps.
那个恐布的声音让小安浑身起鸡皮疙瘩。
3. organic　a. 有机的，生物的
The prices of organic foods are higher.
有机食品的价格比较高昂。
4. twist　n. 改变；（形势或事态的）意外转折
There are so many twists in this movie that it is impossible to know who the killer is.
这部电影的剧情峰回路转，让人猜不出凶手是谁。
5. bonus　n. 额外的好处
Being close to my home is one of the bonuses of this job.
这份工作的额外好处之一就是它离我家很近。

Phrases for Learning

1. fill up.../fill...up　　装满……
Eric kept filling our glasses up with wine.
艾瑞克一直帮我们斟满酒。
2. be eager to + 原形动词　　渴望∕热切于……
Ted is eager to go to Mexico this summer.
泰德今年夏天迫不及待地要去墨西哥。
3. cut down on...　　减少∕缩减……
Zoe is trying to cut down on salt.
柔依试着要减少盐分的摄取量。

Extra Words

1. vermicomposting　n. 蠕虫堆肥法
2. compost　vt. 将……制成堆肥 & n. 堆肥料（本文中亦以现在分词作形容词用）
3. decompose　vi. 分解；腐烂
4. scraps　n. 吃剩的食物（恒用复数）
5. wiggly　a. 扭动状的；波浪形的
6. peat moss　n. 泥煤苔

Tips In Use

A lot of our everyday waste...
（我们日常的废弃物中，有许多……）
They can eat up to half their weight in food every day.
（牠们每天能吃下多达牠们体重一半的食物。）
以下比较 everyday 与 every day 的差别：
1. everyday 为一形容词，仅用于名词前，表『日常的，每天的』。
We should make laughter part of our everyday lives.
（我们应让欢笑成为我们日常生活中的一部份。）
2. every day 则为时间副词，表『每天』。
Ricky wants to lose some weight, so he goes to the gym every day.
（瑞奇想要减肥，所以他每天上健身房。

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