Residents of Canada’s Prince Edward Island rushed to stores earlier this month to buy soda and beer in aluminum cans. They were excited because a ban on the containers was lifted.
Authorities on the island banned beer in cans 35 years ago. Eleven years later they added a similar law for fizzy drinks. Plastic was also prohibited, with glass bottles the only container allowed.
The measures were introduced to help preserve jobs at a local bottling plant. They were also made to help protect the environment since glass bottles can be recycled more effectively than cans.
PHOTO: AFP
But residents have been pushing for change. The issue played a part in the election of a new government last year.
Residents of the capital Charlottetown celebrated the lifting of the ban at a street party. Environment Minister George Webster had the privilege of opening “the first” can.
Green Party leader Sharon Labchuk said the minister should “be ashamed of himself.”
Labchuk called it “a sad day.” She said that not only Prince Edward Island would be harmed but also places where aluminum is mined.
(STAFF WRITER, WITH AFP)
加拿大愛德華王子島的居民這個月初紛紛衝到商店搶購鋁罐裝汽水和啤酒；他們這麼興奮是因為鋁罐禁令解除了！
當地有關當局三十五年前下令禁止買賣罐裝啤酒，十一年後又針對蘇打汽水增訂禁令；塑膠材質也在禁止之列，該島上只能使用玻璃瓶容器。
實施這些措施是為了保障當地一家瓶裝工廠的工作；除此之外，這些措施也有助於保護環境，因為和鋁罐相比，玻璃瓶更能有效回收利用。
但是當地居民一直在推動修法；去年當地政府改選時，這個議題就扮演了重要的角色。
省府夏洛特鎮的居民在大街上開起派對，慶祝禁令解除。環境部部長喬治．韋伯斯特則享有開「第一」罐的殊榮。
加拿大綠黨黨主席雪倫．萊布察克說，韋伯斯特部長應該要「為自己的行為感到羞恥」。
萊布察克把禁令解除這天稱為「可悲日」，她說不只是愛德華王子島，還有鋁礦開採區的環境也會受到破壞。
（法新社�翻譯：袁星塵）
After steel and aluminum, US President Donald Trump has set his sights on slapping 25 percent tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals. Trump has already slapped additional 10 percent tariffs on goods from China and has also threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico, plus ordered a study into putting into place reciprocal tariffs. Here’s a look who would be hit the hardest if US import tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals go into force. SEMICONDUCTORS: ASIA IN THE CROSSHAIRS Semiconductors, or microchips, are the brains in our electronic devices and demand has soared with the development of AI, which
Noise pollution is a frequently underestimated environmental hazard. While hearing loss is the best-known outcome associated with noise, emerging research is uncovering how noise affects our health in other ways. From impaired memory and sleep disturbances to cardiovascular problems, the impact of noise is profound. For a start, unpleasant or excessively loud sounds can lead to stress and divert attention. Even everyday noises, such as those caused by traffic, lawnmowers, and construction work, can interfere with cognitive functions and elevate stress levels. “Our ears capture sound, but we hear with our brains,” explains Wei Sun, an audiology researcher at
A: Apart from singer Daniel Kang, more South Korean stars are coming to Taiwan in March. B: Really? Like who? A: Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation will hold a concert at the Taipei Dome on March 16. B: So she’ll set a milestone by becoming the first K-pop artist to stage a show at the venue. A: Singer Lee Mu-jin, boy group NCT 127 and girl group GFRIEND are also visiting Taiwan. I can’t wait. A: 除了姜丹尼爾，3月有不少韓星訪台。 B: 真的嗎？有誰啊？ A: 像是少女時代的太妍，3月16日即將唱進大巨蛋。 B: 成為首位破蛋的韓流歌手，這可真是一項里程碑！ A: 歌手李茂珍、男團NCT 127、女團GFRIEND 3月也要來，真是令人期待。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
A: My favorite K-pop superstar, Daniel Kang, will hold a concert at the Taipei Music Center. B: Wow, I’ve also been a fan since he debuted in 2017 as the “center” of the two-year limited boy group Wanna One. A: Since Daniel went solo in 2019, he has continued to shine internationally. B: When is his show taking place? A: It’s scheduled for March 1, which is my birthday. It’s the best birthday gift ever. A: 我最愛的韓星姜丹尼爾要在台北流行音樂中心開唱啦。 B: 哇，自他在2017年以2 年限定男團Wanna One「C位」出道時，我就 一直是他的粉絲。 A: 而他在2019 年單飛後，還是持續在國際上發光發熱。 B: 演唱會是哪天？ A: 日期訂在3月1日，也是我的生日。這真是最好的生日禮物！ （By Eddy Chang,
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