2024年的最新一期《经济学人》，关注可降解“新塑料”。
欢迎大家按照留言区里提供的方法领取本篇文章的全文进行阅读。接下来，我带大家一起解析一下这篇文章的前二段：
In victorian london, among the factories and warehouses of the city’s East End, Alexander Parkes developed the world’s first plastic (he inventively called it Parkesine). Notpla, a startup now based in the same part of the city, wants to follow in his footsteps. Unlike Parkesine, however, its material is not made to last. And instead of fossil fuels, it is made from seaweed. At Emirates Stadium, not far away, football fans already gorge on hot dogs served on trays that use the material, which decomposes naturally in just six weeks.
在维多利亚时代的伦敦，在城市东部的工厂和仓库之间，帕克斯发明了世界上第一种塑料（他创造性地称之为“帕克斯因”）。如今，同样位于该市的一家初创公司Notpla希望追随他的脚步。然而，与帕克斯因不同，该公司的材料并非经久耐用。相反，它是由海藻制成的。在不远处的Emirates球场，足球迷们已经在使用这种材料制成的托盘上享用热狗，这种材料在短短六周内就会自然分解。
第一，学习end的用法。这个词做名词，表示the part of a place or object that is furthest from its beginning or centre，尽头；末端，例：We sat at opposite ends of the table. 我们分别坐在桌子两头。
第二，学习fossil fuel的用法。这个词组表示a FUEL such as coal or oil that is produced by the very gradual decaying of animals or plants over millions of years，化石燃料〔如煤、石油等〕，例：Environmentalists would like to see fossil fuels replaced by renewable energy sources. 环境保护主义者希望看到化石燃料为可再生能源所取代。
第三，学习decompose的用法。这个词做及物或者不及物动词，表示to decay or make something decay，（使）变坏，（使）腐烂，例：a partially decomposed body 部分腐烂的尸体
Notpla is one of a number of companies which are exploring using natural polymers—such as corn, mushrooms or agricultural waste—as alternatives to plastic. Traceless, a German startup, recently set up a factory to produce cutlery and other products that are compostable. c&a, a European fashion retailer, uses biodegradable hooks made by the startup to hang socks. ikea, a Swedish homewares giant, has experimented with mushroom-based packaging. As companies step up efforts to reduce their plastic waste, expect plenty more innovation in the years ahead.
Notpla是众多正在探索使用天然聚合物（如玉米、蘑菇或农业废弃物）替代塑料的公司之一。德国初创企业Traceless最近建立了一家工厂，生产可堆肥的餐具和其他产品。欧洲时尚零售商c&a使用该初创企业生产的可生物降解挂钩来悬挂袜子。瑞典家居用品巨头宜家已尝试使用蘑菇基包装材料。随着越来越多的公司加大减少塑料浪费的努力，预计未来会有更多创新成果出现。
第一，学习polymer的用法。这个词做名词，表示a chemical COMPOUND that has a simple structure of large MOLECULEs，聚合物。
第二，学习cutlery的用法。这个词做名词，表示knives, forks, and spoons that you use for eating and serving food，〔刀、叉等〕餐具。
第三，学习step sth up的用法。这个词组表示to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation，使增加；使上升；使加快，例：The health department is stepping up efforts to reduce teenage smoking. 卫生部门正加大力度减少青少年吸烟人数。
2024年3月30日刊
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也许长，但必定值得耐心学习
愿你看待这个星球的眼光能够批判且不同
