Economy and Policy
Saving energy with a new car
Fuel economy in cars is going up. The 2025 CAFÉ standard for cars is over 54 miles per gallon. Hybrids and plug-in vehicles reduce the amount of energy we use to drive, and we all should want to lower our energy consumption and our carbon footprint. But does buying a high-mileage car really help? [Read more…] about Saving energy with a new car
Solar panel payback
Solar panels are becoming a common sight on rooftops. A combination of dropping prices, new incentives, and the growing availability of solar leases is making solar power more and more popular. People are reducing or even entirely eliminating their electric bills with these systems. [Read more…] about Solar panel payback
Keeping U.S. mercury off the global market
The Mercury Export Ban of 2008 went into effect last month. The bill, proposed by then-Senator Barack Obama, was signed into law by President George W. Bush on the eve of the 2008 elections. [Read more…] about Keeping U.S. mercury off the global market
Just how much gas is leaking?
As we tackle the emotional issue of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as a means of producing natural gas, we need better data to assess one of the procedure’s big unknowns. Just how much gas leaks into the atmosphere? [Read more…] about Just how much gas is leaking?
The high cost of artisanal gold
Artisanal gold mines operate in more than 55 countries, generating around a quarter of the world’s gold supply. These smaller-scale mines use rudimentary methods of extracting and processing metals. [Read more…] about The high cost of artisanal gold
Curbing global mercury pollution
Mercury exposure has been tied to a suite of health problems, among them damage to the central nervous system and the immune system. [Read more…] about Curbing global mercury pollution
Clearing the air
Mercury, hydrogen chloride, and sulfur dioxide. These are just a few of the air pollutants emitted by industrial boilers. And, thanks to new air pollution standards that have been more than a decade in the making, some of our nation’s dirtiest boilers will be cleaning up their act. [Read more…] about Clearing the air
Genetically engineered food and consumer choice
Last month, California had the chance to be the first state in the union to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food. Dubbed the ‘Right to Know Act,’ Proposition 37 would have required producers to clearly label raw or processed foods that contained modified ingredients. [Read more…] about Genetically engineered food and consumer choice
Let’s keep electronics out of our landfills
Our cell phones, computers, and game consoles make our lives more productive or at least more interesting. But in our efforts to keep up with the latest technology, we are creating an enormous problem of electronic waste. [Read more…] about Let’s keep electronics out of our landfills
Deer hunting season is underway is some parts of the country – and will soon be in others
Whether you are for or against deer hunting, one thing is certain − deer overpopulation carries a heavy price tag. [Read more…] about Deer hunting season is underway is some parts of the country – and will soon be in others
A push for transparency at the supermarket
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As consumers, we’ve come to expect nutrition information on our packaged foods. Organic foods are labeled. And many grocers are beginning to list the origins of produce. But in the U.S., there are no rules governing the disclosure of genetically modified foods. [Read more…] about A push for transparency at the supermarket
Economic growth vs. quality of life
I recently attended a breakfast of business executives, hosted by the local chamber of commerce. All lamented the lack of economic growth in the community, particularly the lack of growth in tax revenues to support public services. Similar conversations play out across upstate New York and the Midwest, where cities have lost their industrial base and the best talent has moved away.
The articulated solution—bring in more people. Now as a plumber, the Chair of this meeting probably sees this as reasonable. More people means more houses to build, more toilets to fix, and a higher income. But, is that real growth?
In the long term, I would argue that economic growth based solely on population growth is hollow. What we need to pursue is growth in quality of life—not more people, but people living better. A focus on quality of life is a focus on education, innovation, research, and development.
A vibrant, sustainable steady-state economy doesn’t divide up a limited resource base among increasing numbers—instead it affords each productive citizen a higher quality of life while extracting less from the natural environment. And a basic tenet for quality of life is clean air and clean water. Nurture a healthy environment and business will come.
This fall, when candidates are debating how to stimulate our sluggish economy, pay attention to what they are really promoting. And choose growth in quality, not growth simply based on more people in your community and the nation.
Photo, taken on July 17, 2012, courtesy of University of the Fraser Valley via Flickr.
The Café – it’s not just for coffee anymore
Last month one of the most impressive changes in our nation’s energy policy was put in place when President Obama signed into law the new Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. Cars must average 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025. Those who still want a low-mileage vehicle can buy one, but the overall average of the fleet of new vehicles sold must meet the new standards. [Read more…] about The Café – it’s not just for coffee anymore
The Clean Water Act’s 40th birthday
Just four decades ago Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River was known for its flammability. It, and countless other rivers, streams, and lakes were used as dumping grounds for sewage and commercial waste. [Read more…] about The Clean Water Act’s 40th birthday
Pollution doesn’t recognize state lines
The Cross State Air Pollution Rule was initiated to encourage states to be better neighbors. If pollution from a coal-fired power plant in Ohio was poisoning air downwind in Connecticut, the Environmental Protection Agency would have a mechanism to reduce offending emissions. [Read more…] about Pollution doesn’t recognize state lines
The environment used to be a bipartisan issue
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“Shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water?”
That’s from the State of the Union Address of 1970, during wartime, by a Republican president.
Restoring nature to its natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. Clean air, clean water, open spaces-these should once again be the birthright of every American. If we act now, they can be.”
Richard Nixon, an unlikely environmental trail blazer, went on to call for the most comprehensive environmental program in America’s history. Under his leadership, the Environmental Protection Agency was formed.
Finally, the U.S. had a central authority overseeing environmental protection. And that was just the beginning. Nixon empowered the EPA to let us all breath a little easier by signing the Clean Air Act Extension of 1970. Under it, we saw reductions in harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead.
Water got cleaner too. Nixon proposed the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, which allowed the EPA to set and enforce federal drinking water standards.
It wasn’t all rosy. Nixon subjected environmental regulations to rigorous cost-benefit analyses and vetoed the Clean Water Act. But his legacy stands as a reminder that environmental progress doesn’t have to follow party lines.
Photo courtesy of Iberia Airlines via Flickr.
Offshore wind power for the future
Wind power is catching on, and in many places it is price-competitive with electricity generated from coal-fired power plants. So far, nearly all of the wind-power capacity has been installed on land. Coastal oceans represent a vast untapped resource of wind energy worldwide. [Read more…] about Offshore wind power for the future
Let’s have a carbon tax
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As the fall’s elections plays out, we are unlikely to hear much about raising taxes. But, for the moment, let me use the bad word—taxes—to catch your attention. [Read more…] about Let’s have a carbon tax
The importance of the rare earth elements
