Public Domain
Morning Word, Oct. 6: “Gov: Net Zero Emissions for NM by 2050″
Let us breathe easier
Clouds of smoke surround Santa Fe, and air quality alerts blow up your phone. The past wildfire season was one of the worst wildfire seasons in history in 2020. Last summer, 109,513 acres burned in New Mexico, destroying homes and lives in their wake. Fires are burning for weeks, severe drought is making it easier for more fires to ignite, and we can’t catch our breath in between.
Environment New Mexico/PIRG’s Trouble in the Air report found that Santa Fe experienced 77 bad air days in 2020. Compounding the existing air quality problems are extreme drought and extended wildfire seasons, which add fine particulate pollution. In September, we experienced record high pollution levels that the EPA described as Beyond the Air Quality Index. While we experience unprecedented wildfires in New Mexico, we breathe in massive amounts of health-harming soot.
While we can’t prevent the next wildfire, we can cut pollution by electrifying our buildings, equipment and transportation, and transitioning to clean renewable energy. The transition to electric cars and clean energy sources can help us and future generations enjoy healthier lives. Our leaders need to act swiftly to eliminate pollution. When they do, we’ll all breathe easier.
Claire Windsor, Environment America Intern
News, Oct. 27: “Media Bonanza”
Fundamental
It is in great sorrow that I am writing this opinion letter however it is with regret that I did not publicly and openly express this opinion some time ago.
Recently there was a fatal accident on a film production set in New Mexico. A talented woman with a young son died, many were hurt and a lot of people will have to live with this memory for the rest of their life.
People will now point fingers, lawyers will litigate, officials will investigate, producers will deny and insurance companies will side-step culpability. The truth will only come with first acknowledging the problem. We are all responsible.
Crew members must not tolerate unsafe conditions. Producers must acknowledge the fact that a large part of their motivation is to make money. We must never represent ourselves as knowing more than we actually do. This accident was a tragedy.
Making a film is a risky occupation. The hours are long, the equipment and activity are dangerous and safety protocols are often overlooked. It is of fundamental importance that all participants are adequately trained and that younger personnel have been properly mentored by seasoned and experienced professionals. There must be an acknowledgement of safety on a movie set regardless of monetary or time limit restraints.
We must adequately train production employees. We must take our work seriously. We must create the fantasy of a scripted story with zero-tolerance for ignoring safety protocols. There is no room for complacency. If this is not done, our state will no longer be known as a place to make movies. The solution will necessitate us all working together…..the Film Office, the studios, the producers, the unions, the training programs and the state of New Mexico.
Alton Walpole, Santa Fe
