Andrew Holleman, a 12-year-old boy, loved playing in the open land near his home. The land was wet and forested, and made a home for birds, other animals and many different plants. It made the perfect place for him to study and get to know the nature. He had seen some red-tail hawks, red foxes, wood turtles and other animals. He also found special native flowers.

      Suddenly it was announced that the “empty” land would be improved by a lot of houses on it. The plants would be removed, the animals would run away and most would probably die. Then the wet soil(土壤) would be covered with extra grounds. When he heard about the news, he was not happy. He was very worried that the land and water would be polluted.

      Andrew wrote down clearly all the research he had done about the area, and how the houses would affect the local environment. He sent letters to members of local government and television reporters. He also called on his neighbors to oppose the building of the houses.

Although he was only 12 years old, he had the courage and wisdom of a person much older. Andrew's teachers described him as gentle, shy and active. His classmates also admired how much he knew about local animals and plants and the environment. Each day after school, Andrew went door-to-door, to ask the people to sign, who did not want the houses to be built. In only one month, he got the signatures of 250 people. In the end, the land remained a safe place for birds, animals and plants that belonged there.

      Andrew won many prizes for his brave and great work to stop the houses being built, and thus help save the environment.

    The world has a plastics problem. And not just with bottles. Straws (吸管), toothbrushes, toys—all kinds of plastics are placed in landfills. There are 5 billion tons of plastic waste in the world. Landfills have a large part of it. By 2050, they could have 13 billion tons.

    Much of plastic rubbish finds its way into the ocean. Scientists say 165 million tons of plastic pieces are floating around out there. And most plastic won't disappear itself. It will remain in the ocean forever. Whales get caught in plastic fishing nets. Birds die because of eating plastic straws and bottle caps. It endangers ocean life. Plastic rubbish even ends up in the food we eat.

    Governments are realizing that recycling may not be enough. They are taking more actions. Though it is hard work, it is still a solvable problem. In Britain, people are not allowed to use plastic bags except in hospitals. Scotland and several coastal cities in the US stop people from using plastic straws as well. The US alone throws away some 500 million plastic straws a day. That's enough to circle the Earth twice. "Saying no to a plastic straw is an easy way to make a big difference," Diana Lofflin who started www.strawfree.org said. "'Do we really want to pass on to our children a world harmed by plastic?"

    People have found some tasty ways to reduce waste. A company in India made the first-ever spoon that people can eat. You don't have to eat the spoon. You can throw it away. It decomposes (分解) in just a few days. David Edwards, a scientist at Harvard University, designed an eatable bag which can protect the food or drink inside. It is a delicious replacement for plastic ones.

Daming lives in Beijing. Read and learn about her day.