雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'circular economy' has gained significant traction in recent years as a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear model of 'take-make-dispose'. Unlike linear systems, which prioritize throughput and often externalize environmental costs, a circular economy emphasizes the continual use of resources through practices such as recycling, remanufacturing, and product life-extension. Proponents argue that this shift not only reduces waste and resource depletion but also fosters innovation in design and business models. However, critics point out that the transition is fraught with challenges, including high upfront investment costs, the need for systemic changes in consumer behavior, and the current lack of scalable infrastructure for closed-loop supply chains. Moreover, some scholars caution that 'circularity' alone does not guarantee reduced overall consumption, as efficiency gains might be offset by rebound effects. Thus, while the circular economy presents a promising framework, its effective implementation requires careful policy design and cross-sectoral cooperation.