Consider the full impact of local airports
The perceived balance between human activity measured by its economic impact, and human activity measured by its environmental and quality of life impact is typically tilted heavily in favor of economic impacts. Environmental and quality of life issues are considered “soft” and variable, while economic impacts are “hard” and measurable. Thousands of unrelenting examples of businesses, politicians and corporations taking advantage of people and the environment purely in the name of economics indicate that we’ve become indoctrinated to think that any business that adds economic value has precedence over almost any concern or issue that might interfere with its ability to operate as it pleases. It’s this perspective that has led to the vilification of local residents who ask/beg for more oversight of the incessant noise and pollution generated by many aviation operators at local airports. It’s also evident in recent articles in both The Daily Camera and The Times Call covering the economic impact on local airports of the state’s measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
While we don’t dispute that local airports are economic engines that provide jobs and value to the community, local newspapers do readers a disservice by not also reporting (with similar depth and concern) that their impact on the community is much broader than just the revenue generated. Regulating the steadily increasing aircraft noise and leaded aviation fuel emissions that impact the environment and quality of life in our communities should be examined and reported with the same seriousness and depth as the economic impacts. If the current efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have shown us anything, it’s that we should have all the available facts and acknowledge and listen to everyone’s concerns, not just those of governments and businesses.
Julie and Rich Pollack
Boulder
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May 09, 2020 at 06:53PM
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Letters: Environmental impact of local airports - Longmont Times-Call
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