Saving the Planet Should Be Priority No. 1

Thank you for Steve Chapple’s article “Laws of the Jungle” (Aug. 8). Although I’m interested in environmental issues, I had never heard of the Rainforest Action Network and the impact it seems to have.

Unfortunately, many people view environmentalists as idealistic nuts who are standing in the way of “progress.” Their causes are regarded as hollow phrases that don’t matter to anybody--”save the whales,” “save the wolves,” “save the redwoods.” There is so much that truly needs saving. Many of us are just too busy to notice that we are gradually using up our planet. And when it’s gone, we won’t be able to trade it in for a new one.

It’s encouraging to learn that more is being done in this area than I’d realized. With the growing popularity of hybrid cars (if only because of the high cost of gas), maybe the tide is beginning to turn. Groups such as the Rainforest Action Network need as much support as they can get to help us understand environmental problems and what to do about them. Thanks for calling our attention to the campaign of these dedicated warriors. I hope it’s a battle we can ultimately win.

Sheryl G. Parker

Sierra Madre