Being from Staten Island, I was able to relate to all of the talk about landfills. When on Staten Island and not at the Hunter dorms, I live with my family in fairly close proximity to the Fresh Kills Landfill, also known as the Staten Island Dump. Now, when passing through Staten Island, there is no way of knowing that the island is actually home to an enormous landfill. However, I remember growing up and smelling the foulness of the landfill every time I would pass by it. The Staten Island Mall is basically right across the street from the landfill, so the landfill was actually adjacent to residential and commercial areas.
I actually did a research paper and PowerPoint presentation on the correlation between the Fresh Kills Landfill and Lung Cancer on Staten Island for an internship I participated in during the Summer of 2010. I had noticed that several people in my neighborhood were suffering from lung cancer and I decided to look into it. I found reports from years past stating toxins that have been known to cause lung cancer and other health problems were detected in noteworthy amounts in nearby residential areas. This information was upsetting to me and I think better care needs to be taken when it comes to landfills.
Something that nearly everyone takes for granted is the idea of throwing out garbage. People just put their garbage out on the street on certain days when it will be picked it without giving any thought to where the garbage is actually going. We create millions of tons of garbage annually and it has to go somewhere. More people need to be aware that this is a significant problem and we need to make a more concerned effort to recycle, conserve, and search for alternative methods of waste disposal.
I found it shocking that disposable diapers are a significant part of the garbage we create each year. Firstly, that is disgusting because of what diapers are for. Secondly, this tells me that we need to find an alternative to disposable diapers. Perhaps people could start reusing their diapers, or a more efficient disposable diaper could be created.
With regards to the incinerator in Detroit, I am all for it for now. It is pretty much the best option we have for waste disposal and I think the people living in the area should just move away. Perhaps they could be given some sort of compensation such as a tax break to assist their transition. I do not, however think that incinerators a permanent fix. We need to find better, alternative methods of disposing of waste that will hopefully have no negative effects.
Citi Field, the home of the Mets, is a venue I enjoy going to because I am a huge Mets fan. Every time I go see a game, I cannot help from noticing the Brownfield that is Willets Point, also known as the Iron Triangle. The area is home to dozens of cheap, auto-repair, car shops, and junkyards. Because of the abundance of transmission fluids and other car parts, the area has become a Brownfield. Considering the area can be a very nice place to be, the city needs to clean up the Iron Triangle. I previously understood that there were plans to clean up the area, but many current storeowners are against being evicted because their shops are their lives. Somehow, a decision needs to be made.
P.S. I am a huge Seinfeld fan and I really appreciated the clip you played for us.
