C
You can count on the fact that cocoa bean planting is bad for the environment—especially for the rainforests of West Africa. That’s enough to make some consumers think about giving up chocolate. But what if we could enjoy chocolate without climate guilt? In fact, we can, because when cocoa is grown sustainably, it can actually help save the world.
Cocoa beans grow on shrubs that are often planted in the open but can also grow better under large rainforest trees. Well-managed shade-grown cacao trees can store a significantly higher amount of carbon than annual crops—up to three times the amount stored by cacao trees grown in full sun. Shade-grown cacao trees are also more drought-tolerant and weed-resistant than those grown in the open. They are friendlier to wildlife, improving biodiversity.
The problem is not that cacao trees can’t help the environment. The problem is that too few of them do. The reasons for this are complex, but mainly boil down to lack of resources, lack of information and insecure land tenure( 保 有 期 ). Many West African cacao farmers are sharecroppers. They can’t remove old, diseased trees because this would risk losing the land. They can’t afford to plant new trees, either. As a result, new cacao farms are usually created by businessmen who cut down trees and create chemical-intensive( 大 量 使 用 化 学 物 品 的 )
plantations, which both pollute and reduce biodiversity.
As the planet grows warmer and drier, though, these high-productive, full-sun cacao varieties are becoming weaker in the heat. Many small cacao farms in West Africa’s cocoa belt, which supplies up to 70 percent of the world’s cocoa, now suffer from low productivity. But there is hope. When cost and land tenure issues are solved, farmers are more than willing to grow cacao trees in the shade.
Trees are the most important weapons in the fight against climate change. So enjoy your chocolate—provided that it’s a sustainable, shade-grown brand. In fact, buy, eat and give as much of it as you like. The world will thank you.
28.Which of the following can store the largest amount of carbon?
A.Local annual crops that grow near the water.
B.Cacao trees that grow in full sun.
C.Cacao trees that grow under the shade.
D.Newly planted cacao trees that have most leaves.
29.What is the current problem according to the passage?
A.There are not enough cacao trees to take effect.
B.Pollution from chemical plants poisons cacao trees.
C.Only a part of the cacao trees can help the environment.
D.Local cacao farmers run chemical-intensive plantations.
30.What is a possible solution to the low productivity of cacao farms in the cocoa belt?
A.Making improvement to cacao varieties by means of chemicals.
B.Encouraging farmers to grow cacao trees under rainforest trees through sOme supporting measures.
C.Providing shade for originally full-sun cacao trees in the warmer and drier region.
D.Inviting successful businessmen to manage cacao farms in West Africa’s cocoa belt.
31.What is the best title for the text?
A.West Africa’s Cocoa Belt Is in Danger
B.Sustainable Brands Help Save the World
C.How Chocolate Can Help Save the Planet
D.How We Can Enjoy Food Without Climate Guilt
CABC
You can count on the fact that cocoa bean planting is bad for the environment—especially for the rainforests of West Africa. That’s enough to make some consumers think about giving up chocolate. But what if we could enjoy chocolate without climate guilt? In fact, we can, because when cocoa is grown sustainably, it can actually help save the world.
Cocoa beans grow on shrubs that are often planted in the open but can also grow better under large rainforest trees. Well-managed shade-grown cacao trees can store a significantly higher amount of carbon than annual crops—up to three times the amount stored by cacao trees grown in full sun. Shade-grown cacao trees are also more drought-tolerant and weed-resistant than those grown in the open. They are friendlier to wildlife, improving biodiversity.
The problem is not that cacao trees can’t help the environment. The problem is that too few of them do. The reasons for this are complex, but mainly boil down to lack of resources, lack of information and insecure land tenure( 保 有 期 ). Many West African cacao farmers are sharecroppers. They can’t remove old, diseased trees because this would risk losing the land. They can’t afford to plant new trees, either. As a result, new cacao farms are usually created by businessmen who cut down trees and create chemical-intensive( 大 量 使 用 化 学 物 品 的 )
plantations, which both pollute and reduce biodiversity.
As the planet grows warmer and drier, though, these high-productive, full-sun cacao varieties are becoming weaker in the heat. Many small cacao farms in West Africa’s cocoa belt, which supplies up to 70 percent of the world’s cocoa, now suffer from low productivity. But there is hope. When cost and land tenure issues are solved, farmers are more than willing to grow cacao trees in the shade.
Trees are the most important weapons in the fight against climate change. So enjoy your chocolate—provided that it’s a sustainable, shade-grown brand. In fact, buy, eat and give as much of it as you like. The world will thank you.
28.Which of the following can store the largest amount of carbon?
A.Local annual crops that grow near the water.
B.Cacao trees that grow in full sun.
C.Cacao trees that grow under the shade.
D.Newly planted cacao trees that have most leaves.
29.What is the current problem according to the passage?
A.There are not enough cacao trees to take effect.
B.Pollution from chemical plants poisons cacao trees.
C.Only a part of the cacao trees can help the environment.
D.Local cacao farmers run chemical-intensive plantations.
30.What is a possible solution to the low productivity of cacao farms in the cocoa belt?
A.Making improvement to cacao varieties by means of chemicals.
B.Encouraging farmers to grow cacao trees under rainforest trees through sOme supporting measures.
C.Providing shade for originally full-sun cacao trees in the warmer and drier region.
D.Inviting successful businessmen to manage cacao farms in West Africa’s cocoa belt.
31.What is the best title for the text?
A.West Africa’s Cocoa Belt Is in Danger
B.Sustainable Brands Help Save the World
C.How Chocolate Can Help Save the Planet
D.How We Can Enjoy Food Without Climate Guilt
CABC
