Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Re “Air-Conditioners That Run When Nobody’s Home” (news article, Aug. 16):

The residents mentioned in your article who apathetically or even
proudly leave their air-conditioning on while away from their apartments
should be ashamed.

Conservation of energy reduces greenhouse emissions and reduces our
dependency on foreign oil. Beyond that, it demonstrates the value of not
wasting finite resources that we all as Americans and citizens of the
world depend upon.

Generations before us have sacrificed everything, including their lives,
to defend our way of life. Are we willing to sacrifice a moment of
initial coolness when we walk through the door after days away for the
good of our country and planet, or will we sacrifice absolutely
everything for our comfort and wanton consumption?

Jim Lynch
New York, Aug. 16, 2010