Air, Fire, Water and Earth
On behalf of the Sierra Club, I would like to congratulate Carole Beswick, Mayor of the City of Redlands and Air Quality Management Board member, on her Aug. 11 Op-Ed article entitled, “In Weighing the Costs of Clean Air, Don’t Omit The Value Of Each Breath.”
Critics contend that there is actually a choice to be made between clean air and economic growth. On the contrary, a strong economy is impossible without clean air. As Mayor Beswick’s article mentioned, already 98% of the people in this air basin are exposed to unhealthful air. The verdict is in. An exhaustive health study concludes that air pollution is killing us, with thousands of premature deaths each year as well as permanent lung damage.
Economic growth is obviously a key priority on our local agenda. The question is not how we choose between clean air and jobs, but how we direct our clean air efforts to create the jobs we need.
BONNIE R. HOLMES
Conservation Coordinator
Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club
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