Recently our genius president bragged about how the nation, under his leadership, has the cleanest air and water in the world and it keeps getting better. The facts are that during Obama’s tenure the nation broke some clean air and water records, but still wasn’t the cleanest of the world.

In 2018, Yale and Columbia researchers and scientists with the world Economic Forum found that the United State’s air quality ranks 10th and its water is at 29th. This research showed that the United States ranks on the lower end of wealthy democracies worldwide. Barbados ranked first on air quality and eight European countries were tied at first with water quality.

Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan lead the United States in environmental performance. Should we not be leading these accomplishments or at least doing much better?

The president gave an excellent speech on Independence Day. He spoke of how this nation with such a diverse, unified population can do anything. Over 70 percent of U.S. citizens believe our nation should do all it can to protect the environment. Is this just another gear within Trump’s machine to derail a worldwide mission to cooperate for a healthier planet? 

Steven A. Birt

Groton