The increased effort to save the environment could have led to longer and more expensive infrastructure projects. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environment-focused acts made it easier for Americans to contest infrastructure projects on the basis of environmental destruction. A paper from 2019 notes that these exacerbated the already growing problem of affluent neighborhoods influencing infrastructure construction, which led to escalated costs and time spent on infrastructure projects over the years. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
