The purpose of Readers Chime In is to allow residents to express an opinion on topics important to them. If you wish to Chime In, send an email to [email protected] with the subject ChimeIn: TITLE where TITLE is what you want to see as the heading. I will post it with your name. —Pat McGahan
0 Comments
It seems inevitable that waste will become an increasing crisis. There's too much it, some of it is toxic, and we'll run out of space to store it at some point. Below are some links about the issue.
Global Waste Crisis-a-Rising Threat to the Environment "The global waste crisis has become an issue of concern worldwide in an age of climate change. The World Bank warns that global waste will increase up to 70 percent on current levels by 2050 unless urgent actions are undertaken. The international financial institution also mentions that global annual waste is expected to jump to 3.4 billion tons over the next 30 years. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) also reports, The world produces over 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste every year, enough to fill over 800,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.' '' NIEHS.nih.gov/health/topics/PFAS "PFAS are a large, complex, and ever-expanding group of manufactured chemicals that are widely used to make various types of everyday products. For example, they keep food from sticking to cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to stains, and create firefighting foam that is more effective. PFAS are used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, and military. PFAS molecules are made up of a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest, these chemicals do not degrade in the environment. In fact, scientists are unable to estimate an environmental half-life for PFAS, which is the amount of time it takes 50% of the chemical to disappear." Waste to Hydrogen Project Set for California "The California Energy Commission in a June report said a lack of existing renewable hydrogen production is creating a gap with fast-growing demand for the fuel. The International Energy Agency, also in a June report, said there is a definite need for renewable hydrogen production to meet rising global demand." The Heath Free Public Library is interested in learning more about what community members most enjoy about the library, and how we can make the library even better in the coming years.
Initially, the library is seeking teenagers, young adults, and parents of children and teens to participate in small, informal discussion groups. There are two upcoming time slots: Wednesday, April 13th from 7-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 16th, from 10:30-noon. Additional groups for adults and seniors will be held on Thursday, April 28th 7-8:30p.m. and Saturday, April 30th 10:30-noon. Please contact the library at [email protected] or 413-337-4934, ext.7 to sign up. The discussion groups will be held at 18 Jacobs Rd and masking will be required while indoors. Not able to make it to one of these in-person meetings? Do not despair, there will be more ways for you to provide feedback over the next couple of months! Kate Barrows, Library Director |