I would like to applaud Tim Paluch’s column in Wednesday’s Daily. He should be commended for his tireless campaigns for environmental protection. Wait, I meant tiresome. Articles like his have been written countless times in the last decade. Unfortunately, polluting companies will not suddenly listen to a journalism major after ignoring hundreds of respected scientists. Yet is it really industry that is the problem? Mr. Paluch suggests global warming is a problem perpetuated by “Corporate America” where we are merely “pawns.” U.S. EPA figures from 1994 show transport to be the cause of 77 percent of the carbon monoxide emissions; industry accounted for only 10 percent. In 1988, transportation accounted for nearly 30 percent of the U.S. fuel usage, industry only 23 percent. Industry and transportation are not the only problem areas. New studies indicate that decreased sulfur dioxide emissions might actually speed up global warming, since sulfur dioxide reactions can create a cooling effect. At least plants are good, right? In actuality, respiration by plants emits 10 times the amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the burning of fossil fuels.Am I suggesting we start mass production of sulfur dioxide? Not unless you’re fond of acid rain. Am I proposing we cut down the remaining forests? Never in a million years. Photosynthesis by plants take in twice the amount that they release due to respiration.These solutions may seem absurd but the public expects a quick fix to global warming, when the solution might be more damaging than the problem. It is convenient for Mr. Paluch to get up on his soapbox and yell about the evils of global warming and polluting industries. Yet it is up to the public to decrease the rate of global climate change. Columns like Mr. Paluch’s do nothing but take the responsibility away from you, the average American. You are the one holding the cards. It is your decision to drive or walk. It is your decision to throw away or recycle. It is your decision to take long showers, leave the lights on or buy products with excessive packaging.It is also your decision if you don’t. Quit passing all of the blame onto industries. After all, it is the consumer that perpetuates these industries. If you talk the talk, learn to walk the walk. George Eliot stated, “Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.” The choice is yours and yours alone. It definitely complicates the paper vs. plastic debate. Personally, I bring my own bag.Russ Dudley

Junior

Civil engineering