De-icing with rock salt, moon meditations, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

City service updates after the storm. Sunday’s storm dropped over 9 inches of snow in parts of the Philadelphia region. Although the snow emergency has been lifted, sidewalk and road conditions are still hazardous as the city continues to experience below-freezing temperatures. Trash and recycling collection is running one day behind. The city is providing updates on other services here. 

De-icing with waterways in mind. Overusing deicers, like rock salt, can negatively impact local water sources for months following the winter season. The increased chloride in the watershed not only threatens aquatic life but also takes a toll on drinking water infrastructure. Read on to find out what local governments and homeowners can do to lower their deicer usage. The Conversation

Heavy snow may be related to climate change. Although temperatures are warming overall, scientists say that winter weather is still to be expected, if increasingly rare. The warmer conditions may also be making winter storms worse when they do hit. A warmer atmosphere can hold more water, so when freezing temperatures arrive, snowfall may be heavier. WHYY

Calder Gardens offers moon meditation series. Calder Gardens is offering a series of Moon Alignment meditations for the new and full moons from now through March. Museum program leaders say that the intention behind the new series is to help participants to connect with the natural world, notice time passing, and recognize the changes that come during the moon’s cycles. Billy Penn

Cover photo: Salt deicer on sidewalk. Angie Bacha