Until the late '60s or early '70s, no one worried about the pollution so long as the economic engine was running strong. There were clear days that you couldn'

Until the late '60s or early '70s, no one worried about the pollution so long as the economic engine was running strong. There were clear days that you couldn't see half a mile in Pittsburgh PA [1], and entire rivers of volatile chemicals catching fire [2]. We've done a lot to curb those excesses but I agree with your primary sentiment. Why pollute at all if we can avoid it? Interestingly, China's current economic growth is also fueled without consideration of the environment. You can still travel on coal-fired steam locomotives ... and they're not historic excursions but rather new technology. We also have to look at renewable combustibles as some people will claim they're not dependent on fossil fuels but they're still contributing to carbon release when burning wood (or wood pellets) as fuel. [1] https://www.google.com/search?q=pittsburgh+steel+mill+smog&biw=1238&bih=897&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=BTdqVdyXB4uqgwSF-YDICQ&ved=0CCoQ7Ak https://www.google.com/search?q=pittsburgh+steel+mill+smog&b... [2] https://www.google.com/search?q=cleveland+river+fire&sa=X&biw=1238&bih=897&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=UDdqVce6OMWrNsfzgKAJ&ved=0CB4QsAQ https://www.google.com/search?q=cleveland+river+fire&sa=X&bi...