More dangerous than
COVID-19, but ignored
Re: “There’s an unlikely beneficiary of coronavirus: The planet” (Eastbaytimes.com, March 17):
Coronavirus will leave, but we must remember its lessons. After just one month of pausing human industrial activity, major cities in China have seen pollution levels drop at least 25%.
Blue skies have returned, and city-dwellers in the country with the world’s highest emissions can breathe easier for now.
Coronavirus forced short-term action, and now we see air pollution can quickly go away — but it has to stay gone for our survival.
Let’s use this momentum to lead a better future. Many people can realistically keep working from home. This reduces commuter traffic, transit pollution and high stress.
To further reduce economic incentives for pollution, the Energy Innovation Act will tax companies for carbon emissions and return a dividend to the people.
Either way, our choices determine the climate’s future.
Natomi Ota
Fremont
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