AQMD Ruling in Toxics Release

* Re “AQMD Adopts Scaled-Back Pollution Rule,” April 9:

In assessing the costs of environmental legislation, or for that matter any legislation that seeks to affect societal behavior, it seems to be a common error to ignore the action-forcing intent that underlies them. It would “cost” industry $10 million, or whatever, a year to meet certain emission mandates, but the benefits to society are not limited to actual reductions in pollution over the same time period as the economic expense. Ecological processes often work to their own time scale. But even more than this, there is another benefit which accrues to society. And that is innovation.

This points to another common error, that of blurring the distinction between technology and ingenuity. Technological solutions are bounded by scientific knowledge and by the economics of production. Human ingenuity is what, historically, has enabled us to push the boundaries of what is doable in the moment. It is when what needs doing, whether by choice or fiat, becomes undoable, that innovation happens.

I suspect that behind every worthwhile or good thing that has emerged from human society, somewhere in our past there lies a mandate. Norms do not magically appear. They emerge from the principles and rules of organizations and institutions.

ASHWANI VASISHTH

Los Angeles

* It is hard to believe that the AQMD and Los Angeles business can be so uncaring about the people they kill. To feel that it doesn’t matter--there will always be plenty to take their places--is medieval, perhaps barbaric. This is the attitude we ascribe to the young kids running rampant on our streets these days.

I’m happy to be leaving Los Angeles.

LOUISE O. STAFFORD

Northridge