This past week, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere passed 400 parts per million.

This is a milestone in human history in two senses.  First, this level of carbon dioxide has never been seen by any human being.  In fact, this level has not been achieved for millions of years.

But also, this is a milestone for humans because it is human activity, the way we produce and use energy, that is responsible for this high concentration.  As scientists have made clear, this great concentration of greenhouse gas is changing our very climate in ways that are dangerous and costly in dollars and lives.

If we fail to change our ways, fail to change how we generate and use energy, then we will face worse and worse blistering wildfires, withering droughts, flooding events, and super-hurricanes.

As the earth goes barreling past 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Congress should take action now, this year, to address climate change.  As a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, I am committed to seeing that this moment is a turning point, not just a marker of inaction and environmental degradation.

Understanding Your Social Security Benefits

Did you know that many day-to-day transactions with the Social Security Administration can be completed online?  You can apply online for retirement benefits, survivors benefits, or Medicare.   If you aren’t yet ready to apply for benefits, you can estimate your retirement benefits or create a My Social Security account to view your earnings history online.

If you have questions that aren’t answered online, or if you’d just like to talk to an expert, you can also attend helpful presentations by the Social Security Administration in the community.  The next session is scheduled for Monday, May 20:

Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
3:00 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013
Hickory Corner Library
138 Hickory Corner Road
East Windsor, New Jersey

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days

Products that contain potentially hazardous ingredients – such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides – require special care when you dispose of them.

One easy way to dispose of household hazardous waste is to take it to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, held regularly in each county in New Jersey.  A full list of upcoming events, including a list of accepted materials, is available online, and the next event in each of our area’s counties is listed below.

Events will be held rain or shine and are open at no cost to county residents.  An ID may be required.

Mercer County
8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 29, 2013
John T. Dempster Fire Training School
Bakers Basin / Lawrence Stations Roads
Lawrence Township, New Jersey

Middlesex County
8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2013
Middlesex County Division of Highways
Apple Orchard Lane, off of Rt. 130
North Brunswick, New Jersey

Somerset County
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 8, 2013
Franklin Township Sewerage Authority
70 Commerce Drive
Somerset, New Jersey

Union County
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 1, 2013
Back Parking Lot (directions online)
Union County College
Cranford Campus

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress