Community Corner
Teens Plan Scavenger Hunt For Climate-Friendly Refrigerants
Amplify, Alameda High School's environmental group, is working with Youthpower Climate Action to map the refrigerants used in Alameda.
ALAMEDA, CA — Refrigeration is one of the most significant inventions of the 20th century when it comes to impacting daily life. It allows for the safe transportation and storage of food, prevents countless illnesses due to contamination, and preserves vaccines and medications.
But it also impacts climate — something of keen concern to students who participate in the Amplify Club, Alameda High School's environmental group, which is working with Youthpower Climate Action to map the refrigerants used in all markets in Alameda.
"Their goal is to support local grocery stores in transitioning to safe, environmental-friendly refrigerants," Heather MacLeod, adult advisor for Youthpower Climate Action told Patch this week, "because refrigerants overheat the climate even more than methane or CO2."
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The organizations are sponsoring a citizen science project between noon and 2:30 p.m. this Sunday. It is a Scavenger Hunt for Climate-Friendly Refrigerants. Families are welcome to participate, especially those with children. The idea is to drop by for an orientation, and then go shopping and help spot labels in the refrigerator cases.
Short briefings will be held at noon, 12:30, 1, 1:30, or 2 at Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave, in dining room 2.
Find out what's happening in Alamedafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"You'll learn about the importance of refrigerants in stopping climate change," said MacLeod, "and how to find the refrigerants at your local grocery store. Then do your grocery shopping, and text in the information on the refrigerant where you shop. Amplify and Youthpower will add it to their map."
If you and your children would like to become citizen scientists register online for the scavenger hunt.
If you are intrigued by this project but unable to participate on Sunday, the next phase will be helping Alameda businesses transition to more climate-friendly refrigerants. If you have experience in grant writing or fundraising, refrigeration, or general project skills, email Heather MacLeod at youthpower4climate@gmail.com.
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