Letters to the Magazine

North Bellmore, N.Y.

I was disappointed not to read of any realistic, economic solutions to reduce greenhouse gases significantly. Why not hybrid cars powered by hydrogen-fueled engines with a plug into our homes and offices to charge the battery? To generate electricity to produce hydrogen, why not use nuclear power? Unfortunately, the best noncarbon (i.e., non-greenhouse-gas-producing) electricity source--hydropower--is already developed to its max. Wind power is helpful but expensive and unreliable. Solar power is good for heating water and swimming pools. Western Europe safely uses nuclear power to a large extent, and Finland, Japan and China are building new plants. If mining accidents and air-pollution health effects are considered, nuclear power is safer than coal. There are plenty of remote places to store the spent fuel safely and environmentally. Hydrogen, electricity and nuclear power are truly "green."

David Serell

West Richland, Wash.

According to recent researchconducted at the University of Chicago, switching to a vegetarian diet is as or more helpful than switching to a hybrid car. The study concluded that an animal-based diet accounts for significantly more fossil-fuel use than a plant-based diet, and emits much more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the practice of raising animals for food causes greenhouse gases even more dangerous than carbon dioxide, primarily methane and nitrous oxide. With the wide range of vegetarian options in today's market, it is convenient and simple to switch to a plant-based diet.

Leslie H. Armstrong