Environmentalist takes the high ground

This is a response to William O. Felsman's letter to The Acorn of April 10. He called Arielle Gilman and myself "politically innocent and scientifically uneducated" as well as accused us of "serving the augers of the apocalypse."

This unjustified attack on my political involvement has no validity, and is in fact quite untrue. Just this weekend I returned from a convention with the Junior State of America where I debated serious political issues and ran a successful senatorial campaign.

Although I am certainly not a climatologist, I possess the capability to research the knowledge necessary to fully comprehend the science of climate change and the viability of possible solutions. Also, all the other climate champions and I do not resort to fear mongering to scare people into taking action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Even if Mr. Felsman disregards the scientific evidence of global warming (which I am assuming he does), he must understand that there are other reasons to pursue the green lifestyles and environmental legislation that California Climate Champions are advocating.

First, efforts to promote innovative fuels and renewable energy sources can lessen our dependence on foreign oil, which will simultaneously reduce our trade deficit.

Second, although you stated "folks, the air is not deadly," instituting programs such as hydrogen buses in urban centers can reduce air pollution that contributes to rising asthma rates.

We must move beyond these juvenile attacks if we want to obtain the level of international cooperation and public will necessary to solve the greatest problems of my generation.

Adam Raudonis

Westlake High School Westlake Village