Letters to the Magazine

Readers were encouraged to read that America is embracing environmentalism, the subject of our July 17 cover story. Many described ways they were trying to make a difference, from operating environmentally friendly dry cleaners to an energy-efficient animal shelter made of nontoxic, recycled materials. Others discussed their own concerns, especially about population control. "Unless we can stabilize the world population, all efforts to improve the environment will be in vain," one said. Some decried wanton consumerism. "What we need and what we want have become blurred," wrote one. "Isn't it time we learned to conserve?" Added another, "Being truly 'green' does not mean recycling your Styrofoam cups. It means not buying them in the first place." And finally, one noted: "America needs to lead the charge. As the world's leader, we must take the initiative in changing the way we live."

Thank you for a fair and balanced look at "The New Greening of America" (July 17). What a thrill to have Republicans and Democrats embracing environmentalism. Granted, much of it may be economically driven. After all, $3-per-gallon gasoline has a way of turning the most diehard SUV-lovers into Sierra Club members. But whatever the reason, it's a step in the right direction. Let's not forget it was Richard Nixon who signed into law the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and established the Environmental Protection Agency. And it was Teddy Roosevelt, the original Green GOP-er, who was responsible for our unrivaled network of national parks and wildlife refuges. Which all goes to prove that while our tenuous environmental situation may be "an inconvenient truth," it's a "truth" that transcends party lines.

Bob August

Republicans for Environmental Protection

Nashville, Tenn.

I know that global warming is bad and getting worse. Many days, I envision a future of storms, droughts, flooded coastlines, famine and disease, and am terrified that my children and grandchildren will have to struggle with the effects of runaway climate change. But your cover story gives me hope. Even without efforts by our leaders, Americans are taking action and making a difference. These people are what make America great--intelligent, innovative, caring people working at the local and corporate level to make the world a better place. Why should we take action to stop global warming? The reason is usually sitting across from us at the dinner table.

Nancy Nolan

Lexington, Mass.

Only in america do we get things backward. Organic foods are more expensive than fast food. Hybrid cars cost more than their gas-guzzling cousins. A house built with environmentally friendly material and solar panels would break the bank for an average family. That which is supposed to help us save the environment costs more than our current planet-destroying ways. Shouldn't the opposite be true? Maybe we're not all onboard with protecting our future because while we may not speak of a recession, we're counting our pennies.

Cynthia Drenckhahn

North Bellmore, N.Y.

I was disappointed not to read of any realistic, economic solutions to reduce greenhouse gases significantly. Why not hybrid cars powered by hydrogen-fueled engines with a plug into our homes and offices to charge the battery? To generate electricity to produce hydrogen, why not use nuclear power? Unfortunately, the best noncarbon (i.e., non-greenhouse-gas-producing) electricity source--hydropower--is already developed to its max. Wind power is helpful but expensive and unreliable. Solar power is good for heating water and swimming pools. Western Europe safely uses nuclear power to a large extent, and Finland, Japan and China are building new plants. If mining accidents and air-pollution health effects are considered, nuclear power is safer than coal. There are plenty of remote places to store the spent fuel safely and environmentally. Hydrogen, electricity and nuclear power are truly "green."

David Serell

West Richland, Wash.

According to recent researchconducted at the University of Chicago, switching to a vegetarian diet is as or more helpful than switching to a hybrid car. The study concluded that an animal-based diet accounts for significantly more fossil-fuel use than a plant-based diet, and emits much more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the practice of raising animals for food causes greenhouse gases even more dangerous than carbon dioxide, primarily methane and nitrous oxide. With the wide range of vegetarian options in today's market, it is convenient and simple to switch to a plant-based diet.

Leslie H. Armstrong

Asheville, N.C.

Nicholas O'Connell is on to something real in his July 17 my turn essay, "The Pickup Game as a Model for Peace?" Our organization has used the healing power of soccer and God's love in war-torn countries for the past 20 years. Our founder Russ Carr's work with Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini in Rwanda exemplifies how enemies can come together. We drew tens of thousands of spectators at our last game to watch Hutu and Tutsi athletes play rather than fight. No one cared if they were Hutu or Tutsi. Whether they could kick the ball was the only concern.

George Caylor, Board Member

Sports Outreach International

Lynchburg, Va.

I applaud Susannah Meadows ("Murder on Their Minds," July 17) for showing that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were not soulless, satanic murderers but tormented, mentally ill teenagers who were pushed to the edge. As a 17-year-old diagnosed with severe depression and social-anxiety disorder, I understand their plight better than most. For six years, my peers have ostracized me. I've been left out, laughed at, pelted with staples and rocks, been the object of countless rumors, been friendless and generally harassed by other kids. And for what? Because I'm shy, overweight and unpopular with the boys. At my lowest point, I made suicide plans, held a knife to my chest, mutilated my arms and legs with a razor, and yes, thought about exacting revenge on those who hated me. Thanks to medication and therapy, I am now recovering. But what I now know is that much of the responsi-bility for school shootings lies with the faculty. So many times I was harassed right in front of apathetic teachers who did nothing. Until schools make an effort to stop bullying, as well as provide adequate counseling services (truly, what saved me), shootings will continue. If faculty had done more to stop the bullying Eric and Dylan faced, perhaps Columbine would not have happened.

Chelsea Olson

Rice, Minn.

How interesting that an article on Columbine shooter Eric Harris, who provoked snickers, was followed just pages later by an article about North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, who provokes snickers. Isn't it clear by now that we can no longer afford to snicker at people like them?

Roslyn Reid

Bernardsville, N.J.

In "Going Green" we wrote that by bicycling part of the way to work, Kelley Howell saved three fifths of a gallon of gasoline and avoided 15 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution. Several readers questioned how that amount of gasoline, weighing less than four pounds, could have generated so much CO2. The extra mass comes from the oxygen in the air. In the engine, each atom of carbon in the gasoline molecule combines with two atoms of oxygen to make carbon dioxide. Additionally, in calculating pollution from automobiles, scientists take into account the carbon dioxide emitted in extracting, refining and transporting the petroleum.

Our July 17 Leadership & Innovation Q&A with Mel Karmazin reported that Sirius Satellite Radio announced it had added 600,000 new subscribers in the past four months--exceeding the growth of its larger rival, XM, for the first time. In fact, the firm announced it had added 600,000 new subscribers in the second quarter, and had exceeded XM's growth for the past three quarters, not merely the most recent. NEWSWEEK regrets the error.