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Urban planners Lila Chen and Ryan Moore are deeply troubled by such issues. In their newly released book Green Living: Reclaim Our Cities' Natural Spaces, they call for a fundamental rethinking of urban design and the role greenery should play in our daily lives.

The landscape of urban living began to shift decades ago. Vast areas of natural vegetation were cleared to make room for sprawling concrete structures and commercial centers, forcing residents to seek nature in distant suburbs. Some grassroots groups fought back. Most notably, a community organizer from Seattle, who relocated to the city in the early 2000s, launched a movement to save a local wetlands area from being converted into a shopping mall. Expressing her outrage at the planned destruction, Emily Clark appealed to the city council to "Preserve Seattle as a city where nature and urban life coexist harmoniously, not just a place of concrete and commerce." Similar initiatives took place in other major cities across the country in the 2010s.

Although these initiatives gained public attention, the harsh reality is that the majority of modern cities remain overwhelmingly dominated by urban development at the expense of green spaces. The coverage of natural areas in cities has been shrinking steadily. In California, for instance, the ratio of urban green spaces to total city area has dropped to a record low, even as the state promotes environmental protection campaigns.

We invest substantial resources in building urban infrastructure that prioritizes speed and efficiency, yet we neglect to consider the true value of green spaces. Do we fully comprehend the social and psychological costs when citizens lack easy access to natural environments for mental rejuvenation? The authors of Green Living are spot-on: it's high time we re-evaluate the urban landscapes right outside our homes.

But the situation was quite different with their first assignment, which centered on the question: "Why is literature important?"

Most of the essays were barely a page long, and scarcely any had a sentence that could serve as a strong thesis statement. I was taken aback. Then it dawned on me that the problem lay in the question itself. They could have written volumes about the allure of social media, but literature, in its pure form, just didn't seem significant to them. This had to change.

As a new semester began, I asked everyone to craft a reflective essay on a literary work that had touched their soul. This time, they found the task far more engaging. For the subsequent two tasks, a drama-analysis project was followed by a poetry-creation workshop. I only stipulated that each piece should convey a deep-seated emotion. The outcomes were astounding. The students delved into a wide range of literary works and produced essays and poems, each 8 to 15 pages long, with insights that broadened my perspective and stirred my emotions.

I entered the class believing that literature is important as a mirror of humanity. However, my students demonstrated something even more profound. When the final bell rang in June, I walked away with a year's worth of memories filled with the realization of literature's most profound significance — the ability to awaken dormant feelings, to transport us to unseen worlds, and to reveal the shared threads of our human experiences.

When shopping for protein at the grocery store, we often encounter a dilemma: traditional animal-based meat or plant-based meat. Is plant-based meat truly a healthier alternative? Five experts from diverse fields were consulted to share their insights on whether plant-based meat is better for our health. Here are their in-depth responses.

Dr. Amanda Green, Nutritionist

Switching from traditional meat to plant-based meat can effectively cut down on the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. Traditional red meat, in particular, is high in saturated fat, which is closely associated with elevated blood cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease. Plant-based meat, conversely, typically contains low levels of saturated fat. Thus, for individuals concerned about heart health, plant-based meat is a more favorable option as it can help mitigate the risk of heart-related ailments.

Mr. Ben Smith, Food Technologist

Plant-based meat products are engineered to imitate the taste and texture of traditional meat. They can offer a comparable eating experience while having less fat. Most plant-based meats preserve nutritional benefits like protein, and some even add extra nutrients such as dietary fiber. Nevertheless, it's crucial to note that some plant-based meat products might have a relatively high content of salt and additives to enhance flavor. Hence, consumers should always scrutinize the nutrition labels.

Dr. Charles White, Epidemiologist

Both traditional meat and plant-based meat have their respective merits. For those who wish to reduce meat consumption for environmental or health reasons, plant-based meat serves as an excellent substitute. It can supply essential nutrients similar to traditional meat in most instances. However, we must also consider that a strictly plant-based diet may lack certain nutrients that are abundant in traditional meat, such as vitamin B12. So, it's not a universal solution, and a balanced diet remains pivotal.

Ms. Emily Davis, Dietitian

A long-term study tracking the health of thousands of people for over 15 years revealed no significant disparity in the risk of chronic diseases between those who regularly consume plant-based meat and those who consume traditional meat, provided their overall diet is balanced. For individuals aiming to manage their weight, plant-based meat can be a prudent choice due to its relatively lower calorie content. However, it's not a magical fix, and portion control is still of great importance.

Dr. Peter Brown, Agricultural Scientist

From an environmental standpoint, plant-based meat has distinct advantages as it requires less land, water, and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional meat production. But in terms of health alone, plant-based meat is not necessarily superior to traditional meat. It hinges on the specific product and an individual's overall diet. Some traditional meats, like lean poultry, can also be part of a healthy diet.

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Dear Alice,

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Yours,

Li Hua

Not only a path to the future that did not run over the relics, but they had also learnt that it was possible for countries to work together.