pollution
I just read a book called Zodiac by Neal Stephanson and I liked it very much mostly because it takes place in Boston, the rivers and harbor which I know quite well.
It made me realize how different things are now in terms of pollution. In the eighties even the Charles and the Inner harbor were totally toxic, and I remember seeing the remnants.
44 Pleasant street in Watertown and behind all buildings to the west of there was poison. The small waterfall directly to the east had shopping cart, plastic bags, and all sorts of unidentifiable trash. I saw a large transistor and battery once.
Me and my friends played in the extensive muck surrounding the beginning of the smooth Charles, past the tiny waterfall in Watertown.
Creepy trees growing out of slime
All still water a magic petroleum of rainbow colors
sink to the knees take many showers
But now like many places in Boston, IE Southie and the Combat Zone, the river has been gentrified.
Rich folks lead to clean rivers and corners and I suppose it’s not a bad thing, the Charles River in Watertown smells good and in the former combat zone there is nary a hooker or coke dealer to be seen.
The point is that at least in North America (excluding Mexico) the populous seems to have a proper outrage at being poisoned and so at least on the surface, plants can grow again.
Filed under: Business, Environment, Philosphy, Recycling, Science, Tidal Power | Tagged: Gentrification, Oceans, oil, Pollution | 2 Comments »
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