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Compromises can be reached

Instead of accusing those struggling to breathe and live comfortably of being whiners and those exercising their right to burn of being selfish, here’s a novel idea… can some compromises be reached that those who are willing and able can do that might make enough of a difference to alleviate the problem? Just enough to give society time to come up with more long-term solutions.
14414018_web1_PQN-Letters

Instead of accusing those struggling to breathe and live comfortably of being whiners and those exercising their right to burn of being selfish, here’s a novel idea… can some compromises be reached that those who are willing and able can do that might make enough of a difference to alleviate the problem? Just enough to give society time to come up with more long-term solutions.

Example: If all those ‘burners’ could limit their burning to times when the air quality venting index is good and agree to use alternative heat sources when it’s poor, would that make any difference?

Also more education for yard burners who don’t realize that just because fire restrictions state they are allowed, the air quality venting index is supposed to be followed. Too onerous for the volunteer fire departments to police but why not a job creation idea for a new bylaw officer to respond to complaints with fines?

The reality is with forest fire pollution in the summer and the need for forestry companies to burn slash at this time of year in order to help lessen that risk, I really wonder if individual home burning is making that much of a pollution contribution? Certainly in densely populated areas on poor air index days it should be evaluated.

Perhaps new home construction in those areas should not be allowed wood-burning devices. Perhaps older homes being placed on the market should be required to decommission or replace wood burners with gas or electric.

Perhaps government could influence the utility companies to lower their rates making wood burning more of a chore than a cost-saving measure.

Maybe somewhere along the way we can unite to a common goal as I’m sure we all want to live long and healthy lives in which being able to breathe is quite critical.

Arlyene Moberg

Qualicum Beach