Your Voice | Letters

Gas prices and urban health

To the Editor:

Lara Seligman's article, "With rising gas prices, SEPTA ridership up," highlights how high gas prices have created a strong economic incentive that has compelled many to choose SEPTA over driving for their daily commute to work.

It is important to mention another economic benefit of taking public transportation that we don't often think about - environmental health.

Auto emissions are largely responsible for the poor air quality that can greatly affect our health, particularly during these hot summer days when ground level ozone and other air pollutants are at their highest.

In a city with very high rates of child asthma, choosing alternatives to driving such as public transportation, bicycling, and walking could help lower heath care costs for many people, in addition to saving you from the $4.15 per gallon at the pump.

Cara Lampton

Seeking meatless alternatives

To the Editor:

In response to your opinion piece "Meat-free in a city of vegetarian delights" (6/12/08), it's important to note that Ms. Stull's positive experiences being vegetarian in Philly are part of a larger trend in society.

In fact, a recent study by Aramark, a leading food service provider, concluded that nearly a quarter of college students are actively seeking vegan options when they sit down to eat, for reasons ranging from their own health, to environmental concerns, and of course, cruelty to animals.

Students are becoming more aware of where their food comes from, and the cruelty animals face when raised and killed for meat.

They know that if these kinds of abuses were inflicted upon cats or dogs, it would result in felony cruelty to animals charges.

Thankfully, with a wide variety of meat-free dishes like veggie BBQ "riblets" and vegan pizza available at every grocery store, and restaurants all over town expanding their veggie selections, it's never been easier to give meat the boot.

Ryan Huling

College Campaign Coordinator, peta2.com

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.