Curbing carbon boosts economy, public health

Maryland can only win by promptly implementing the recommendations of the state Commission on Climate Change ("State climate panel urges action," Aug 27).

When labor unions and manufacturers raise objections to such suggestions, they fail to understand their own best interests.

Far from driving industry out of the state and costing us jobs, moves to make our state more green are an essential economic survival strategy.

Failing to enact the measures proposed by the commission is what could drive industry and jobs away, as doing so could enable other states to beat Maryland to the new markets for clean energy and efficient technology.

Improving the health of our citizens is another compelling reason that Maryland should swiftly implement the climate commission's recommendations.

High rates of cancer in our state and our burden of other diseases related to environmental causes are linked to the ways we Marylanders dispose of our waste, purchase our electricity and regulate our land use.

If we can't address these problems for the sake of the planet and the beauty of the natural world that we so egregiously take for granted, let's at least take action to save our health and our economy.

Rebecca Ruggles, Baltimore

The writer is director of special projects for Baltimore Medical System Inc.

Towson lacks transit to drive development

Towson's building boom may appear similar to those experienced by Bethesda and Silver Spring in Montgomery County; however, Towson is missing one crucial element: rapid transit ("Towson rising," Aug. 31).

Both Bethesda and Silver Spring are served by Washington's Metro system, and this system connects those suburban centers with downtown Washington and other points of interest in the region.

In contrast, the Maryland Transit Administration's light rail system was built on the cheap along an old freight railroad line. It bypasses Towson by several miles.

Until people in the Baltimore region demand a comprehensive transit system, Towson and other places like it will remain dependent on automobiles, worsening their already bad traffic and parking situation.

Robert J. Kogan, Philadelphia