Just saw this statistic on my friend, Gil Friend's blog:
"California's environmental leadership is critically important, both because of its size (as 5th or 7th or 10th largest "country" in the world) and because of its repeated demonstration that environmental and economic performance can go hand in hand. Another case in point: per capita energy use has stayed level in California over the past 30 years -- of major economic growth -- while doubling in the US as a whole."
http://radio.weblogs.com/0109157/
It's another example refuting the myth that what is good for the environment is bad for economy.
More on this later.
3 comments:
I am realizing this is a key component of the debate--does sustainability equal lower profits? I think the answer is really some sort of curve on a chart--that the coin will flip as social and environmental needs become so pressing that entire communities and larger industries take up the charge. In such a changing climate (literally), the persons who have adequate answers will rapidly assume a certain de-facto 'marketability'. I suggest encouraging people to have those products and services ready for the oncoming clamor.
Another example: in the September Atlantic Monthly, Gregg Easterbrook argues that despite dire predictions from both sides of the political spectrum, actions to prevent runaway global warming "may prove cheap, practical, effective, and totally consistent with economic growth."
He cites as proof the results of previous air pollution reducton initiatives (greenhouse gases are the ultimate air pollution problem). Urban smog, acid rain and CFCs are just a three examples of environmental problems that were greatly reduced or solved with strong regulations, none of which produced the economic calamity predicted by the naysayers of the time.
How anyone can argue that keeping our environment liveable is counterproductive to economic growth is beyond me. Talk about short-sighted.
see also today's front page WSJ article - advocating the business viewpoint, and outrageous comments by Federal commentators.
PS: Congrats on the new blog. I will be resurrecting mine soon too. http://sri-extra.blogspot.com
Cheers
Graham
Post a Comment