Thursday, January 13, 2005
RE: LA Times “AQMD releases SCV smog study,” Jan. 13
We in the SCV have some of the worst air in the nation, and the AQMD says it’s mostly not our fault. Travis Lange, Santa Clarita’s environmental services manager, is obviously relieved by that conclusion when he says “We had always understood that our ozone migrated here from other parts” and “The report pretty much says that air quality is one of those things where the source isn’t always where it ends up.” Giving the impression that we are absolved of responsibility for the poor state of our air is a huge disservice to the community. There is plenty that residents can do to make a difference. Take the bus and the train more often. Cooperate with your neighbors and carpool to school, practices, the mall, church, everything. Make the effort to consolidate errands from home to avoid unnecessary trips. Don’t buy vehicles bigger than you really need (sending all Hummers to Iraq would help both our air quality and our troops tremendously). The bottom line is that everyone living here can do something to help air quality here while they are here. Not only will we get better air without waiting for “other parts” to do something, we can also set a good example for our children, who really need to learn conservation in order to survive in the future.
We in the SCV have some of the worst air in the nation, and the AQMD says it’s mostly not our fault. Travis Lange, Santa Clarita’s environmental services manager, is obviously relieved by that conclusion when he says “We had always understood that our ozone migrated here from other parts” and “The report pretty much says that air quality is one of those things where the source isn’t always where it ends up.” Giving the impression that we are absolved of responsibility for the poor state of our air is a huge disservice to the community. There is plenty that residents can do to make a difference. Take the bus and the train more often. Cooperate with your neighbors and carpool to school, practices, the mall, church, everything. Make the effort to consolidate errands from home to avoid unnecessary trips. Don’t buy vehicles bigger than you really need (sending all Hummers to Iraq would help both our air quality and our troops tremendously). The bottom line is that everyone living here can do something to help air quality here while they are here. Not only will we get better air without waiting for “other parts” to do something, we can also set a good example for our children, who really need to learn conservation in order to survive in the future.
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