Sacrifice is needed for a better planet

Dear editor, Cleaning up the environment is indeed a critical issue. Experts such as David Suzuki have predicted that we have maximum 10 years in which to get rid of pollution. After that it will be too late. No doubt the federal government's recent proposals will be somewhat helpful; certainly the intention is good. Unfortunately, it is probably too little too late. While politicians were haggling over whose ideas were best, the planet has been dying little by little. The public, while demanding government `do something' about the environment, would never stand for the mandatory restrictions that would be necessary to make a difference. Remember Premier Dalton McGuinty's warning to `leave the auto industry alone'? Remember when gas prices went unacceptably high? We didn't see many motorists slowing down. People want action taken, but they don't seem to be willing to give up any part of their conveniences and luxuries to be part of the solution. More energy-efficient homes, recycling, smoking bans and poop-scooping will not get the job of cleaning up the environment done. To affect real change, vehicle useage and manufacturing will have to take a hit. Experts have further stated that government cannot control pollution and climate change. Only the people themselves can do it. Do the people have the will? Not likely! There is much we could do on a personal level if we are serious about healing the damage we have done to our planet. We could shut off the lights, turn down the heat and the air conditioning. We could use more manual tools and appliances; fewer gas and electric-powered. We could use fewer chemicals; more natural products. We could boycott products that are shrink-wrapped and/or dangerous to the environment in both manufacturing and disposal. We could use more glass containers; fewer plastics. And best of all, we could limit the use of our vehicles to necessity. Every little bit helps. Experts have issued the warning; we have to change our lifestyle now. If we wait for the invention of environmentally-friendly products at some distant future time which will still allow us to continue our wasteful lifestyle, our future is doomed. Eileen Hutcheson, Acton