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Showing posts from April, 2019

Why I want Enfield’s old schools torn down, not renovated

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  Water-stained ceiling tiles in an office at Hazardville Memorial School I've been researching hazardous materials in Enfield's elementary schools and reading the inspection reports that federal law requires. Every school with asbestos must get a full inspection every three years and a check every six months. Enfield's last full inspection was in 2024. The last six-month check was in June. I went to the school department and looked at the records to gain a better understanding of what's involved. I did not realize, until I looked at the material, how much effort the school system has to take to ensure the children are safe. I'm planning to write something in greater detail, but for now the opposition has to understand the real implications of a "no" vote. Asbestos may sit in old floor tile and glue, pipe insulation and ceiling material. Asbestos materials that are sealed or in good condition do not put fibers in the air. They become a problem when they ar...

Climate change impacts in Connecticut

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I can imagine mowing my lawn by next weekend, which seems early. Already the weeds are racing ahead. This is not surprising. Temperatures in Connecticut have increased 2.8 degrees since 1970 . Our average annual temp that year was about 48, it's now nearing 51. This coincides with a  dramatic rise in CO2. In 1970, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere was at 325 ppm; it's now at about 410 ppm. Pre-industrial was 280 ppm.  Connecticut is ranked 10th among fastest warming states by Climate Central. Alaska is first. I'm not entirely sure why Connecticut, along with Rhode Island and Vermont, are seeing faster temperature rises. Clearly, we're seeing an increase in extreme weather in the U.S., which includes fires. We have been fairly lucky so far in Connecticut. It's hard to know for sure what climate change will mean for Connecticut specifically. But a 3 degree increase since 1970 does not bode well. We're doing nothing globally to address the problem, and ...