I wish to address the article, Air quality service panned, in the May 6 Morning Star.
I applaud Coldstream director Doug Dirk’s efforts to move things forward on the matter of local air quality as the Ministry of Environment recognizes that “open burning and wood stoves are the leading sources of pollution.”
Re-establishing air quality monitoring as proposed by the Regional District of North Okanagan would be a positive, progressive step in the right direction.
Rural Lumby director Rick Fairbairn’s comment, “Our residents, and I don’t think that has changed, were not interested,” referring to the monitoring program that was scrapped six years ago, were not helpful.
Much has changed over the past six years.
Greenhouse gas emissions have come to be recognized as a contributor to climate change and airborne dust and smoke fine particulates are an acknowledged carcinogenic health hazard. The population in the North Okanagan has grown significantly, resulting in increased emissions into the regional air shed.
Exercising better regulation and care for the air we breathe collectively, and not using the atmosphere as an open dump, needs to move beyond haggling over details between jurisdictions.
Statements cognizant of present realities would be more helpful and constructive than declarations based on outdated, anecdotal hearsay.
George Kiraly
Vernon
