04/30/2023
The best and easiest way to make our voices heard at this juncture is to write the mayor and city council member to let them know what you think. We can do this by sending them emails now, and if you are able to attend their next meeting coming up on Tuesday.
Realizing this may be a bit daunting, here’s a sample of what that email might look like, feel free to use as you see fit:
Dear Councilman (name),
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed project of building an airport in our town. As a taxpayer and active voter in Peoria I cannot stress enough the negative impacts this project would bring to our town. Thus, I urge you to reconsider the plans for the construction of an airport.
Firstly, the establishment of an airport will lead to serious environmental concerns that will have long-term impacts on our community and it’s beautiful desert. The construction and operation of an airport would require the clearance of land, which would lead to ecological devastation in the immediate area. Furthermore, the aviation industry is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for adverse climate changes. According to a study published by Atmospheric Environment, aviation accounts for about 3.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is higher than the amount produced by entire countries such as Canada and South Korea. Therefore, building an airport would not be consistent with our sustainability plan which states: The City of Peoria's sustainability efforts seek to reduce the city’s effect on the environment, conserve energy, and encourage citizens to meet their needs without compromising the needs of the future.
Secondly, the noise pollution caused by an airport would have dire consequences for our physical and mental health. Studies have shown that frequent exposure to airplane noise increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairment. A study by the European Heart Journal found that residents in areas with high levels of aircraft noise were at an increased risk of stroke, even after adjusting for conventional risk factors. Therefore, constructing an airport would put our health at risk and is not to the benefit and well-being of our community.
Lastly, I am concerned about the cost of building and maintaining an airport. The construction and maintenance of an airport are expensive, and studies have shown that they are usually not profitable. A study by The Journal of Air Transport Management found that 90% of airports worldwide operate at a loss or break-even level, which means that the investment would not bring revenue to our town.
In conclusion, I believe that building an airport in our town would have detrimental consequences for our environment, health, and economy. I strongly urge you to reconsider these plans and focus on alternative, sustainable ways to improve our community.
Thank you for your attention and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
