「蟲蟲危機」敲警鐘！昆蟲恐於百年內滅絕？！

一份科學報導顯示過去 30 年間昆蟲大量減少。當前每年的昆蟲物種死亡率為 2.5%。如果這個情況持續下去，100 年內將不再有任何的昆蟲存活。

昆蟲物種減少對地球環境和人類生存有負面的影響。昆蟲對於鳥類、魚類和其他動物而言是重要的食物來源；牠們對於抑制害蟲、幫助植物生長及維持土壤健全亦不可或缺。

密集型農業是這個嚴重問題的主因。為了阻止危機擴大，人類必須在食物生產方式上做出強而有力且全球性的改變。

The World's Insects are Dying at a Rapid Rate

A scientific report shows a serious decrease in insects over the last 30 years. Scientists warn that 40% of all insect species may die out in the next few decades. The current rate of annual insect species loss is 2.5%. If this continues, there will be no insects in 100 years.

The decrease in insect species negatively effects the planet's environment and humans' survival. A healthy insect population is vital to plant and animal life. Insects are an important food source for birds, fish, and other animals. They're essential5 to control pests, help plants grow, and keep the soil healthy.

Intensive farming6 is the main cause of this serious problem. A powerful, global change in food production methods is necessary to stop this crisis.

腦洞大開！何尻圭吾畫出你的悲劇人生

日本插畫家河尻圭吾是一個畫特殊又好笑插畫的上班族，畫作展現了動物在人類生活中可能面臨的問題。在他作品中受歡迎的動物角色有一隻鱷魚及一隻長頸鹿。這些畫作中也有人，有時會用像是水果或玩具的物體來取代頭部。在其中一張畫作中，一隻鱷魚的鼻子阻礙了牠彈奏小提琴；在另一張中，一隻長頸鹿、一頭大象和一隻兔子試著跳繩，牠們心情都很低落，因為繩子被牠們身體某些部份給絆住了。

河尻圭吾的畫作在 Instagram 上大受歡迎，於 2018 年發行第一本圖集。他希望人們在克服日常生活的困難時也能發現當中的幽默。

Keigo Brings Humor to Common Problems

Japanese illustrator Keigo is an office worker who draws special, funny pictures. They show the problems that animals might face in the human world. Some popular animals in his art are a crocodile and a giraffe. The pictures also have people, sometimes with objects like fruit or toys for heads. In one picture, a crocodile's nose gets in the way of playing the violin. In another, a giraffe, an elephant, and a rabbit try to jump rope. They're sad because the rope gets caught on their body parts.

Keigo's art is popular on Instagram. His first art book came out in 2018. He wants people to see the humor in overcoming problems in daily life.

揭開佩特拉城的神秘面紗

佩特拉是世界上最引人入勝的歷史遺跡之一。坐落於約旦貧瘠的沙漠之中，佩特拉城的歷史可以回溯至數千年前。這座城市是由納巴泰人所建，他們發展了一套創新的技術使他們可以生存於乾燥的氣候之中。他們在沙漠中高超的集水與種植技術造就了高水準的生活條件。這也使佩特拉城成為商旅路途中必經的驛站。

進入此城的唯一路徑是穿越一條因地震而岩石表面破裂後所形成的狹窄通道。這條隱密的入口讓城內居民得以安居。根據文獻記載，佩特拉城在一世紀時為全盛期，人口約有兩萬人。西元100年左右，羅馬人大舉入侵此地。隨後，該城因為商業重心轉往濱海地區而逐漸失去其重要性。至此之後，在往後的一千多年裡，少數留在該地的居民設法讓這裡不被外界所知。

西元十九世紀初，一位西方旅客透過喬裝成當地人的方式瞞騙居民讓他混入城中。之後，他將所見所聞撰寫成書，古城就此享譽盛名。時至今日，佩特拉城仍是約旦最多人造訪的旅遊景點。

Jordan's Ancient Desert City

The lost city of Petra is one of the world's most interesting historical sites. Located in a barren desert in Jordan, Petra has a history that stretches back thousands of years. The city was built by the Nabatean people, who developed innovative methods of surviving in a dry climate. Their ability to collect water and grow food in the desert provided them with a high standard of living. This made Petra an important stop on trading journeys.

The only way into Petra was through a narrow passage formed when earthquakes cracked open its rocky surface. The concealed entry allowed people to live in safety. Recorded history shows that Petra flourished in the first century, with a population of roughly 20,000 people. Around the year 100, Petra was invaded by the Romans. Soon after, the city lost its importance because trade began happening by sea. Then, for over 1,000 years, the few people who remained there kept it secret.

In the early 1800s, a European traveler tricked people into letting him through the passage by wearing local clothing. After that, he wrote about Petra in his books, and it became known to the world. Today, Petra is the most visited tourist site in Jordan.

「芬蘭式」距離

你曾與陌生人共乘電梯而感到不自在嗎？你曾覺得在課堂中提問很困難嗎？當下車按鈕壞掉時，你一想到要請公車司機停下來就充滿恐懼嗎？偶爾感到害羞是很OK的。然而在芬蘭，這項特質流淌在整個國家的血液中。

好幾年來，這個東北歐國家所居住的550萬名人們都被外人視為擁有安靜和拘謹的性格。事實上，有個常見的俗話說：一位害羞的芬蘭人遇見新面孔時會立刻低頭看自己的鞋子。但如果他有自信，他則是會看向陌生人的鞋子。

造就此性格的原因可歸咎於芬蘭人不喜歡空洞的對話。有些芬蘭人也相信處在寒冷氣候及城市之間距離遙遠的這些情況之下，大家希望能直接進入話題重點。一名來自拉普蘭區的語言老師表示：「畢竟，如果你從大老遠的地方來拜訪某人，不會想要浪費時間談論不重要的瑣事吧？」。然而不論他們走了多遠的距離，芬蘭人都同意一件事：沉默是金。

The Art of Being Finnish

Have you ever felt uncomfortable sharing an elevator with a stranger? Do you have a tough time asking questions in class? Are you filled with horror at the thought of asking the bus driver to pull over when the “stop” button doesn't work? It's OK to feel a little shy from time to time. In Finland, though, this characteristic runs in the veins of the entire nation.

For years, the 5.5 million people that live in this north-east European country have been viewed as quiet and reserved by outsiders. In fact, it's a common saying there that upon meeting a new person, a shy Finn will immediately look at his shoes. If he's confident, however, he'll stare at the stranger's shoes instead.

A lot of this comes down to a dislike of empty conversation. Some Finns believe that, in a country with an icy climate and large distances between cities, quick conversations are desirable. After all, says Tiina Latvala, a language teacher from Lapland, “If you've traveled any distance to see someone, why waste time?” Regardless of how far they've journeyed, though, Finns can all agree on one thing: silence is golden.

東方夏威夷─峴港

如果你喜歡旅行，但不喜歡大量的人群、冗長隊伍，以及專門針對觀光客而訂的極高價位，何不前往越南的濱海城市峴港？峴港的歷史悠久，並擁有豐富的景觀，雖然人跡罕至，但仍能提供許多怡人舒適的事物。確實抵達的遊客被地球上最美麗的海灘之一、一座古老的貿易港口和迷人的自然奇觀款待。

一月至七月間遊覽這座歷史名城，可以避免雨季和暴雨。在此期間，天氣溫暖且乾燥，適合探索五行山。在這座城市的南部，五座大理石山群點綴景觀，每座山都有通往隱密石窟的洞穴入口。前往這些山脈中唯一一座向遊客開放的水山，攀登其 156 階台階，從山頂欣賞壯觀的景色。另一個值得探索的山峰是在山茶半島，這裡是稀有猴子物種和一些佛教寺院的所在地。除了從山茶半島的山頂欣賞景色之外，還可以看看靈應寺，它以越南最高的觀音雕像為特色，並坐在一棵千年大榕樹的樹蔭下。

Divine Da Nang: Vietnam's Coastal Gem

If you love to travel but hate large crowds, long lines, and sky-high prices geared toward tourists, why not visit the coastal city of Da Nang, Vietnam? Steeped in history and boasting lush landscapes, Da Nang is off the beaten path, but still has lots to offer in comforts. Tourists who do make it there are treated to one of the most beautiful beaches on Earth, an ancient trading port, and stunning natural wonders.

You should visit this historical city from January through July to avoid monsoons and heavy rains. Warm and dry during this time, the weather is perfect for exploring the Marble Mountains. In the city's south, a cluster of five marble mountains dots the landscape, each with cave entrances that lead to hidden grottoes. Head to Thuy Son, the only one of these mountains open to visitors, and climb its 156 steps for a spectacular view from the summit. Another summit worth exploring is at the Son Tra Peninsula, home to a rare species of monkey and some Buddhist monasteries.

Besides taking in the view from Son Tra's peak, you can check out Linh Ung Pagoda, featuring Vietnam's tallest statue, the Lady Buddha, and sit in the shade of a massive 1,000-year-old banyan tree.

心碎真的會致命嗎？

失去我們所愛的人真的對身體健康有害嗎？新的研究顯示，經歷一些難熬的事情，像是朋友或家人過世，可能會傷害我們的心臟。

這種症狀被稱為「心碎症候群」。研究顯示，當某人的配偶過世時，他們自己的身體健康很有可能突然惡化。上了年紀的夫婦經常相繼過世。例如，西元 2018 年，美國前總統喬治 H.W. 布希在他的妻子芭芭拉離世之後不到八個月也過世了。

對心碎症候群採取的預防措施就是用健康的方式來對抗壓力。沒有預防措施能徹底讓你為親人的過世做好準備。然而，除了整體上促進心臟的健康之外，定期運動也是對抗壓力的有效方法。冥想和呼吸練習也可以用來平靜你的心靈，並保持心臟健康。失去親近之人的痛苦是生活中令人難過的一部分，但它可以不損害你的健康。

Can You Really Die from a Broken Heart

For each and every one of us, there is no greater tragedy than the death of a loved one. However, could losing someone we love actually be bad for our physical health? Doctors think so. New research suggests that going through something difficult, like a friend or family member's death, could damage our hearts.

This condition has been named “broken-heart syndrome.” Studies have shown that when someone's husband or wife dies, their own physical health is more likely to suddenly deteriorate. Elderly couples often pass away shortly after each other. In 2018, for instance, former US President George H.W. Bush died within eight months of his wife, Barbara.

Taking preventive measures against broken-heart syndrome is a matter of dealing with stress in a healthy way. No precautions can completely prepare you for the death of a loved one. However, regular exercise, in addition to promoting heart health in general, is a proven way to fight stress. Meditation and breathing exercises can also be used to calm your mind and keep your heart going strong. The pain of losing someone close to you is a sad part of life, but it doesn't have to damage your health.