There’s no room to run

Never underestimate pollution. As exposure to pollution increases, so does the chance it can harm or even kill us. This is why I am against President Donald Trump’s budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency and anyone who supports his efforts to undermine the agency.

Consider this scenario scientists have long recognized when it comes to pollution. Take bacteria and put it in a petri dish with nutrient agar (food). Bacteria colonies grow exponentially over time. Eventually the population will peak, maintain numbers for a period, then quickly die even though there is still agar available in the dish. Why? In short, resources were reduced even if still present and the bacteria are living in an environment they have been polluting the entire time. There is no way for the bacteria to get rid of the waste they created.

Now, picture Earth as our own petri dish. If we can’t effectively deal with our pollutants, we will suffer the same fate.

President Richard Nixon recognized that many companies’ pursuit for profits resulted in the blatant disregard to reduce the pollution they created. The pollution was affecting the public’s health negatively. In response to this negligence, he created the EPA in 1970. The EPA would be staffed with scientists, use current technology and be guided by the goal to reduce pollution that could harm the public and resources.

I understand the need for jobs, but a pro-business, anti-EPA stance puts us at serious risk.

Protect the EPA.