Bethell on Earth Summit

I noticed the author of this article is a “visiting fellow.” Just exactly where is he visiting from--another planet? He wrote, “Within the United States there are few severe environmental problems.” I was flabbergasted!

Well, let’s see: air so polluted it’s unhealthy to breathe; rivers, lakes and streams grossly polluted with industrial wastes; the fish from these waters so laden with toxic chemicals that it can’t be eaten safely; toxic concentrations throughout our entire food chain; beaches so fouled by wastes that they’re closed to the public; hazardous wastes leaking into our water supplies; acid rain; radioactive contamination, etc.--I could go on.

Gee, just what does Bethell consider a severe environmental problem?!

GLORIA LARKIN

Los Angeles