Is our planet warming, cooling or neither? Ask around and you'll get a convincing argument for each scenario.

Whom should we believe? More importantly, are we responsible? Should we even worry about it?

Here are a few things I feel we should worry about:

1. Some of Greensboro's streams and lakes have never been more threatened.

2. Greensboro's wooded areas and wetlands are being destroyed, and city officials are doing almost nothing about it. (I have documentation.)

3. Outdoor burning of refuse is permitted in our city with official city approval. (I have photographs.)

I must say I've had trouble understanding why federal, state and local governments hire talented individuals in ecology, biology and the environment, then seem to ignore their scientific findings in favor of real-estate developers, their eloquent legal staff and indiscriminate bulldozers.

Some will disagree with what I've said here. All I ask of you is to walk along Cypress Park Road in south Greensboro. Look at (and smell) what "progress" has brought to Twin Lakes Park, the Pinecroft Natural Area and Willow Lake.

I don't know about global warming, but our neighborhood has been getting a "snow job" for some time now from those who should know better.

Jim Farley
Greensboro