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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.
Biodiesel versus ethanol: American-made fuels
Bioethanol is in the gas most of us put in our cars. This renewable fuel comes from corn, potatoes, and other plants, and reduces the harmful emissions associated with petroleum-based fossil fuels. As a reminder, fossil fuels like coal and oil are also derived from plants, but they are not considered renewable because it takes the Earth thousands of years to convert plant material into these energy-rich forms. [Read more…] about Biodiesel versus ethanol: American-made fuels
Sportsmen and conservationists
I started watching birds as a teenager, under the tutelage of a sportsman who took me hunting for grouse, woodcock, and duck. I watched him read the weather, the vegetation, and the fallen leaves for signs of game. In the off-season, he was also a birder. What he really enjoyed was being outdoors. [Read more…] about Sportsmen and conservationists
Protecting the little fish to preserve big fish
Programs to bring back populations of large fish, like cod and tuna, often rely on limiting the catch of these species. But restoring large fish also means protecting the smaller fish that they eat. [Read more…] about Protecting the little fish to preserve big fish
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
Will warmer winters mute fall foliage?
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Leaves change color in the fall when deciduous trees and shrubs stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment that lets plants obtain energy from sunlight. Shortly before leaves are shed, they put on a colorful show. [Read more…] about Will warmer winters mute fall foliage?
Tough times for corn
This year, drought dealt a heavy blow to U.S. corn production, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture listing half the crops in poor or very poor shape. Yields are down and corn prices are rising–bad news for food processors, dairy operations, and livestock farms. Further complicating things, low inland water levels are causing shipping headaches for the barges that haul the grain. [Read more…] about Tough times for corn
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
Invasive species: good, bad, or neither?
When we hear about the devastation caused by invasive species like emerald ash borers and hemlock wooly adelgids, it is easy to believe that all invasives should be killed. But in fact many well established invasives have neutral or even positive qualities: witness the popular sport fish rainbow trout and large-mouth bass. [Read more…] about Invasive species: good, bad, or neither?
Who's having the rice with arsenic?
New tests conducted by Consumer Reports have found that many rice products contain arsenic— some at worrisome levels. [Read more…] about Who's having the rice with arsenic?
Fall color in New England – is it endangered?
This time of year, the Northeast comes alive with fall color: hillsides full of scarlet, orange, plum, and amber leaves set off against the lush dark evergreens. [Read more…] about Fall color in New England – is it endangered?
Autumn leaves – not just a colorful display
We’re all familiar with the dramatic changes in our deciduous trees during the fall. First, the leaves turn a bright red, orange, or yellow. Then they brown and fall to the ground. [Read more…] about Autumn leaves – not just a colorful display
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.
There is life in dead trees
It’s that time of year again. Many of us are tidying our yards before winter sets in. But if you spot a dead or dying tree on your property, and it doesn’t pose a safety hazard, consider leaving it alone. [Read more…] about There is life in dead trees
Exporting our carbon emissions
On the face of things, it sounds like excellent news. The Department of Energy recently reported that in 2011, the amount of carbon dioxide our nation emitted from energy production declined. This was the third time in four years that such a trend was noted. [Read more…] about Exporting our carbon emissions
Trying to clean up dirty oil sands
Our neighbors in Canada are sitting on an enormous energy reserve. The Canadian oil sands, located in Alberta, cover a swath of land the size of England. It is estimated they contain 170 billion barrels of recoverable oil, second only to Saudi Arabia. [Read more…] about Trying to clean up dirty oil sands
Putting organic food in perspective
Recently, a Stanford University study on organic food received a firestorm of press coverage. The dominant buzz, heard from some of our nation’s leading newspapers and wire services: organic food isn’t worth its higher price tag. [Read more…] about Putting organic food in perspective
Rising seas threaten coastal regions around the world
