Avoid the Legoland 'ripple effect': Goshen's environment is at stake

Climate change is a reality and is now underway. Evidence for the existence of climate change has become basically undeniable. Scientific consensus has emerged that climate change is primarily driven by human activity — particularly the CO2 emissions that result from fossil fuel consumption. This factor leads us to Legoland and the objectionable environmental consequences it may bring — including a distinct and noticeable increase in CO2 emissions from changes in automobile traffic.
Increased car traffic resulting from Legoland, by itself, will be unpleasant and difficult for Goshen residents. It will also greatly increase overall CO2 emissions. Note that a simple increase in traffic will cause a "ripple effect," amplifing the geometric environmental consequences:
The increased traffic from Legoland will not only come from visitors driving to and from the site. Perhaps the greater impact will come from increased stop and go traffic throughout the entire area surrounding Legoland — also meaning that Goshenites will be caught up in "Legoland traffic" even when they're not actually going to Legoland.
This transformation toward more stop and go traffic associated with Legoland will cause much greater CO2 emissions than current traffic flow on Route 17 creates. This is because that type of driving dramatically reduces fuel efficiency compared to normal highway driving. Legoland would also spur additional development (gas stations, fast-food eateries, hotels) that will contribute even more to altered traffic patterns.
My previous letter to The Chronicle stated the additional costs Orange County residents will face due to Legoland — increased driving costs and longer commuting times in particular. But the overall increase in CO2 emissions that stem from Legoland should really concern us, as well — for these emissions drive climate change, locally and everywhere.
How much additional CO2 emissions are possible? My rough calculations suggest hundreds of millions of pounds of additional CO2 released each year as a result of alterations to traffic patterns due to Legoland.
For all these reasons, Goshen must consider the carbon footprint of any new project that is proposed in our area — including Legoland. Specifically, the upcoming environmental impact statement for Legoland must include a coprehensive assessment of the total climate impact of this project, and to ensure the site has been well chosen.
It's easy to view Legoland as a local matter, but in reality it impacts global factors, including climate. So now more than ever, the phrase think globally, act locally applies to Goshen in its consideration of Legoland.
John Harragin
Goshen