Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Electric Avenue
RECEIVED Sun., March 31, 2024
Dear Editor,
I was in utter shock when I read the article “Opinion: Electric School Buses Are a Win for Kids’ Health, the Environment, and Our Community [March 12, 2021].” Personally, I feel like this is an article that should be brought to the attention of such an extensive amount of readers. Therefore, it brings me joy to see that it was published in your Chronicle. However, it is also one of the saddest pieces that I have read in a while. While no one voluntarily meant to hurt this poor little girl, we have all contributed to the acceptance of emitting so much diesel into the air we breathe our entire lives. Diesel is the largest source of nitrogen oxide and the inhalation of this compound can evidently interfere with the ability of our blood to carry oxygen. Repeated exposure can lead to permanent lung damage or, like in this case, death. This is a continuous worldwide problem like the article suggests. While this particular case occurred in London, I cannot believe that over 4.2 million casualties per year are due to air pollution. How awful is it to hear something like that? And the worst part is knowing we hold so much control over overlooked causes of these fatalities. By simply opting for electric school buses, we would be able to eliminate a substantial amount of harmful emissions that traditional diesel buses continue to expose. With ethical considerations in mind, we should prioritize public health and keep in mind all the children susceptible to respiratory illnesses. It is relieving to hear the possibility of being able to do some good in light of the story Ella and her family had to live through. Additionally, it’s enlightening to know that we can make a change now to help not just our planet from all the nitrogen oxides we have provided it with, but also our lungs. I hope we do make the switch to electrical buses if that means being able to save millions of lives starting with one small act that can make that big of a difference.
I was in utter shock when I read the article “Opinion: Electric School Buses Are a Win for Kids’ Health, the Environment, and Our Community [March 12, 2021].” Personally, I feel like this is an article that should be brought to the attention of such an extensive amount of readers. Therefore, it brings me joy to see that it was published in your Chronicle. However, it is also one of the saddest pieces that I have read in a while. While no one voluntarily meant to hurt this poor little girl, we have all contributed to the acceptance of emitting so much diesel into the air we breathe our entire lives. Diesel is the largest source of nitrogen oxide and the inhalation of this compound can evidently interfere with the ability of our blood to carry oxygen. Repeated exposure can lead to permanent lung damage or, like in this case, death. This is a continuous worldwide problem like the article suggests. While this particular case occurred in London, I cannot believe that over 4.2 million casualties per year are due to air pollution. How awful is it to hear something like that? And the worst part is knowing we hold so much control over overlooked causes of these fatalities. By simply opting for electric school buses, we would be able to eliminate a substantial amount of harmful emissions that traditional diesel buses continue to expose. With ethical considerations in mind, we should prioritize public health and keep in mind all the children susceptible to respiratory illnesses. It is relieving to hear the possibility of being able to do some good in light of the story Ella and her family had to live through. Additionally, it’s enlightening to know that we can make a change now to help not just our planet from all the nitrogen oxides we have provided it with, but also our lungs. I hope we do make the switch to electrical buses if that means being able to save millions of lives starting with one small act that can make that big of a difference.
Sincerely,
Alexa Munoz
Alexa Munoz
