【明報專訊】To be environmentally friendly, Hangzhou (杭州) has been using water force to run 50,000 special air-conditioners. That seems an effective way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the special machines use amounts of water above and beyond the normal level. At least a ton of underground water has to be used an hour to keep one such air-conditioner operating. Water used in the air-conditioners is directly released into underground pipes. It is estimated that four times as much water as there is in Xihu (西湖) is needed to generate electricity for this purpose each year. It is said that Hangzhou might gradually subside and water quality there might deteriorate.
■Keywords
Generate electricity……發電
Environmentally friendly……環保
■Questions
1. What problem does the issue point to?
2. Point out one advantage and one disadvantage of using water force to generate electricity in Hangzhou.
3. Do you think Hangzhou should continue to use the technology to generate electricity for air-conditioning? Explain your answer.
■Further readings
China New Energy:http://www.newenergy.org.cn
Hangzhou Government:http://www.hangzhou.gov.cn
Text: Polly Cheng
