英國伍斯特郡的一個小鎮議會最近提出了一條省錢又環保的建議：用當地的火葬場為周邊的休閑中心和游泳館供暖。該議會指出，此舉不但每年能節省1.45萬英鎊的開支，還能節約能源，為減緩全球變暖做出貢獻。對此，部分當地人表示無法接受，稱人們在游泳池游泳時想到那里的取暖設備是靠自己逝去親人的尸體在運轉，心里會覺得不舒服。目前，這條建議還在討論中，不過殯葬聯合會的有關人士也表示，從環境角度來看，這不失為一條好建議。

?A council is proposing to save money – and combat global warming – by heating a leisure centre and swimming pool using heat generated by the crematorium next door.

A council in Britain is proposing to save money – and combat global warming – by heating a leisure centre and swimming pool using heat generated by the crematorium next door.

Redditch council in Worcestershire says it can save ￡14,500 a year by warming its new Abbey Stadium sports centre with heat from the crematorium's incinerators that would otherwise be lost.

The council, which says it is the first project of its kind in the UK, is holding briefings later this week with faith groups, funeral directors and members of the public to discuss the scheme.

But some local people are concerned. Simon Thomas, of Thomas Brothers funeral directors, said: "I don't know how comfortable people would feel about the swimming pool being heated due to the death of a loved one, I think it's a bit strange and eerie."

Council leader Carole Gandy defended the plans, saying it would save money and energy. "I'd much rather use the energy rather than just see it going out of the chimney and heating the sky. It will make absolutely no difference to the people who are using the crematorium for services.""It's only a proposal at the moment but personally I'm supportive of it because I think it will save the authority money and, in the long-term, save energy which is what we're all being told we should do."

Gordon Hull, from the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, said: "From an environmental view it makes sense."

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）