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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Renewable Energy Powers Major Japanese Railroad

Tokyu railways train at station

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On April 1, Tokyu Railways trains running through Shibuya and other stations were switched to power generated only by renewable sources. Tokyu has more than 64 miles of railway tracks serving 2.2 million people a day, including commuters and schoolchildren. The sources include hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar power, according to Tokyo Electric Power Co., the utility that provides the electricity and tracks its energy sourcing. Japan, the world’s sixth-biggest carbon emitter, has a goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Tokyu headquarters Assistant Manager Yoshimasa Kitano says, “We don’t see this as reaching our goal, but just a start.” 

The carbon dioxide emissions of Tokyu’s sprawling network of seven train lines and one tram service are now zero, with green energy being used in all stations, including vending machines, security camera screening and lighting. Tokyu, which employs 3,855 people and connects Tokyo with Yokohama, is the first railroad operator in Japan to have achieved the same goal. It says the carbon dioxide reduction is equivalent to the annual average emissions of 56,000 Japanese households. About 20 percent of Japan’s electricity comes from renewable sources, according to the nonprofit Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies. The other two ecologically friendly options are batteries and hydrogen power.

Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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