Whose Fault Is It?

Whose Fault Is It?

Whitney: Hey, Jessica, have a seat. You always seem to be looking for a place to hide. It must be tough with your dad on the television almost every night now. Cafeterias sure aren't private, and you do have to eat!

Jessica: What a pain hiding from people sometimes! Still, dad's been in politics for awhile now, so I'm getting used to it. Brett! Lorrin! I'm over here.

Brett: Hi, guys. Jessica, that was a good report you gave today in Environmental Studies, even though I think you're wrong, of course!

Lorrin: You two never agree on anything!

Jessica: Well, I have the facts to prove my point. Dad showed me some of his research. Industries and factories are directly at fault for pollution. It is a simple as that.

Lorrin: Now, you two will drag me into this. I don't like it the way politicians push the blame off on those without the money or power to do anything about the destruction. We elect government representatives to fight for our rights and well being.

Brett: Well, I simply don't see it that simply. We are all responsible for our environmental destruction.

Whitney: Now that is simple. It seems to me that much of this environmental destruction issue is in our heads. Things seem fine to me. I don't see dead fish, breathe black air, or contract unexplainable illnesses, and neither do any of you that I know.

Jessica: I think you would feel differently if you saw EPA test results on the air you do breathe. The EPA sets limits on the amount of toxins that various industries, cars, and other polluters are permitted to release into the air.

Lorrin: Yes, but the EPA as a governmental agency only performs those texts once a year.

Brett: The EPA is underfunded and understaffed. Not only that, but when it does shut down factories, in many cases, the people who become unemployed complain about the lack of work and the factory is usually reopened. Similarly, when factories are to be inspected, they are usually informed weeks before the inspections occur, allowing time for temporary arrangements to clean up their toxic emissions and making the tests invalid.

Jessica: The EPA must give a company at least one day notice before an inspection.