英国伍斯特郡的一个小镇议会最近提出了一条省钱又环保的建议：用当地的火葬场为周边的休闲中心和游泳馆供暖。该议会指出，此举不但每年能节省1.45万英镑的开支，还能节约能源，为减缓全球变暖做出贡献。对此，部分当地人表示无法接受，称人们在游泳池游泳时想到那里的取暖设备是靠自己逝去亲人的尸体在运转，心里会觉得不舒服。目前，这条建议还在讨论中，不过殡葬联合会的有关人士也表示，从环境角度来看，这不失为一条好建议。

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)

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）