Dear Editor,
Pedestrians beware! On several occasions within the past 2 months I have experienced a very unnerving situation that should be brought to the attention of all who walk the sidewalks of the NIH campus, and the NIH Police. I have encountered bicyclists roaring past me (35 m.p.h. at least) as I trek merrily to my car in the evening. These people are on the sidewalks! On two occasions these cyclists have come within 2 feet of me. Ouch! On each occasion there was no warning (bells, whistles or even a yell). It was a frightening and dangerous maneuver. Had I stepped one foot to the left or right I could have been maimed or worse. I wonder how many other innocent folks have been accosted by these mindless people. I repeat: Pedestrians beware!
| Beverly Stuart, OD |
I am proud to be part of NIH and to contribute to our mission of maintaining and improving human health. But I have given a lot of thought to the role that NIH should play in the related challenge of assuring that we humans don't damage or overwhelm the Earth's natural systems on which we depend for our sustenance.
I think NIH should play a leading role in the quest for a sustainable economy, for if we do not live sustainably, eventually human health will suffer. But at a minimum, NIH should comply with current environmental laws and regulations. At this point, NIH does not meet this minimum standard in some regards.
In accordance with Executive Order 12873, we should be using recycled paper, and should do double-sided copies whenever feasible. Yet the paper we use in my office is 0 percent recycled, and even the copies of the executive order requiring that we copy double-sided was received in my office on single-sided copies. In accordance with Montgomery County's mandatory business recycling regulations, we should be recycling office paper, newspaper, glass and plastic bottles, cans, cardboard and yard waste. I know of several NIH buildings that don't meet these requirements.
Moving beyond mere compliance with the law, NIH should install more efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems. In many cases, Pepco would pay for these upgrades. NIH, the taxpayer and the environment would all gain if we pursued these enhancements more vigorously. NIH can and should do better in protecting the environment.
| Carl Henn, CMB/NIAID |
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