Dear editor,
During the current pandemic, reduction of traffic by air, road and ocean, and cutbacks in toxic industrial emissions has had a positive effect on the atmosphere.
Major cities are, for the first time, falling in line with recommended responsible air quality advisories. You would think this might be viewed as a positive environmental condition for COVID-19 sufferers as well as anyone else struggling with chronic respiratory illnesses.
You might also logically conclude that maybe something should be done to address the damage emissions regularly do to the planet whose health our children’s health depends on. Instead, we seem hell-bent on restoring things back to previous practices, by some, considered “normal.”
We are remarkably blessed on our Island, with our river valleys, snow-capped mountains, the vastness of our forests and water all around, nature’s playground. But we, the Comox Valley, have recorded the worst air quality in North America.
How is that possible?
With the space around us, wide open rain forest and a maritime environment. We have not had rain for a long time now, concern for another season of record wildfires has led to a complete ban on fires, but people are ignoring the ban. That is a form of abusive, irresponsible negligence that is also illegal.
Stop it, be considerate of your fellow Comox Valley residents and think about those people struggling with respiratory illness, think of health care workers, fire marshals and police, already taxed to the limit, called to respond to your negligent and irresponsible behaviour.
Might also re-think the truly ridiculous decision to blast the midsummer sky with fireworks at the height of seasonal wildfires. Come on, really?
Greg Pedersen,
Courtenay
Do you have an opinion you’d like to share? Email letters@comoxvalleyrecord.com