Posted by Victoria on Thursday, Sep 17, 2020
Ice-caps are melting, forest fires are ravaging much of the West Coast and you may feel like you are too small to make a difference. Wrong! Here are several ways you can help save our planet in your daily lives:
1. Reduce your food waste (eat leftovers, freeze food, buy in bulk and compost).
2. Turn off lights when you leave a room (and use energy efficient bulbs and appliances).
3. Consider eating a more plant-based diet.
The City of Iowa City and Iowa City Public Library are celebrating Climate Fest September 19th-26th. Find out more about IC Climate Fest.
Celebrate with us at ICPL by registering for one or both of these Teen events:
Taco ‘bout a sustainable lifestyle: Chapulines- To-go!
Did you know that according to theecologist.org, insects require a quarter of the feed pound-per-pound as larger livestock and use negligable space, water and methane. While over 2 billion people across the globe consume insects, Westerners have largely not included them in their diet. Now is your chance to try Chapulines, a grasshopper commonly eaten in Mexico. Register here to recieve a bag of Chapulines, along with a recipe idea. Once registered, you can pick the kit up via curbside. To learn more, visit Chapulines To-go or register here. (Warning- Do not eat Chapulines if you are allergic to mollusks, shellfish, dust mites, slugs, or insect venom).
Reduce, reuse, recycle – and repair: Upcycled T-Shirt Pillows
Do you have an old t-shirt that you never wear? Try upcycling it into a pillow! We'll provide instructions and you'll save it from ending up in the landfill and breathe new life into it. Register here to recieve polyfil stuffing and comment if you would like a t-shirt. Once registered, you can pick the kit up via curbside. To learn more, visit the Upcycled T-shirt Pillows or register now.
Once you register, these kits can be picked up curbside from September 19th- October 3rd by appointment.
Never having read any of Backman's other books besides A Man Called Ove, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. As someone who enjoys looking through other people's windows at night on a dog walk (not in a creepy way, but rather just to watch from afar how their silhouettes eat dinner and mill around,) I like to speculate what their lives are like, so I was really drawn to this story. Backman meanders at times but creates strong, life-like characters with flaws and strengths we might find resonate in all of us. it is brutally honest at times and funny in other parts. I really enjoyed this read and it was a good reminder to always offer grace as we never know what life challenges other people have been through or are currently facing. -Victoria