‘Initiating Action’ to Protect Environment

I am especially supportive of Irvine City Councilman Cameron Cosgrove’s concept (July 2) of “initiating action” to protect our environment, even before conclusive data is available to precisely define the extent of predicted damage. His philosophy should also be extended to include precautions or measures not mandated by legislation or regulation, if these precautions represent “socially responsible” actions or reasonable public expectations.

Also, Cosgrove fails to mention the natural time-delay in acquiring precise data: The effect of today’s chlorofluorocarbon release to the atmosphere will not be measured in terms of ozone depletion for several more years because of the time required for the reaction to occur.

For example, it has been learned that one of the three largest Japanese automobile importers in the United States, during one 30-day period last year, released over 23 tons of CFCs (Freon) into the atmosphere during a repair campaign to correct a manufacturing defect on 20,000 vehicles already imported. In spite of the fact that no regulation was violated by the venting of the product into the atmosphere, it was still a “socially irresponsible” action, causing certain future damage to the ozone layer that protects us all from dangerous ultraviolet radiation. The lack of regulatory controls permitted this company to avoid the expense of purchasing vapor-recovery equipment that would have minimized this threat to future generations.

Clearly, the protection of our environment must be given priority over politics, profits and personal convenience if we hope to leave a desirable Earth to our children and theirs. This challenge demands the ingenuity and resources of individuals, business and governments--internationally. I agree that all business or individuals wishing to participate in our lush marketplace should be required to “sign up” to this environmental priority.

RICHARD HOFFMAN

Brea