For many years, we have been told that we have to choose between growing the economy and protecting the environment -- especially as we worked to recover from the sharp downturn of 2008. But this old way of thinking has been turned on its head in the 21st century, when our prosperity is clearly linked to environmental health and green innovation. Government entities like the EPA and industry leaders like the American Sustainable Business Council are showing that clean air, a safe water supply, and healthy places to live are key ingredients to economic growth. Today -- and in the years to come -- our economy is going to grow precisely because we are taking care of our environment, and the leading job creators are going to be companies that specialize in sustainability and the green economy.
This is a time for economic growth that taps the unmatched capacity for innovation and ingenuity in American businesses, and mobilizes entrepreneurs to foster an economy that's built to last. The 2012 State of Green Business Report found that "environmental sustainability efforts continue to grow," thanks to companies that are utilizing smart, cutting-edge business practices that benefit people and the planet, all while making a healthy profit.
The American Sustainable Business Council and its members now represent over 150,000 businesses across the country. They and many other businesses in all sectors are integrating energy efficiency, emissions reductions, safer chemicals, water conservation and other sustainability measures into their business decisions. Each day, we see more exciting new technologies that make cleaner, safer and more affordable products for consumers, while boosting profits for businesses, and attracting increasing interest from investors with $3.3 trillion privately invested worldwide since 2007.
Building a sustainable economy can also put U.S. businesses at the forefront of a growing, global market. By conservative estimates, in 2010 U.S. environmental technology firms generated $312 billion in revenue and supported 1.7 million American jobs -- including 61,000 small businesses. Worldwide, environmental technology is an $800 billion industry. And in the coming years, experts foresee significant 7 percent growth as developing countries begin to more seriously address environmental and social concerns for the long term.
To seize those opportunities, we will be highlighting American ingenuity, innovation and industry at Rio+20 in Brazil this week. The federal government and private sector sustainability leaders are connecting experts -- from business, finance, education, health and more -- with people and organizations eager to build cleaner and greener world economies.
The EPA and our federal government representatives will be working with international and private sector partners to help catalyze local investments in sustainable development. By sharing our expertise and building partnerships, we can make progress on everything from clean water to deforestation to greenhouse gas reduction.
At the same time, American businesses at Rio+20 are seeking opportunities to reach new markets around the world, and ways to sell products that will increase efficiency, save money, and promote economic growth at home and abroad. We have an opportunity to make our technology and products part of sustainable solutions all over the world.
Developing a green economy will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, make our communities healthier, and ensure that our Main Street businesses are more resilient. An economy that not only manages negative social and environmental impacts but encourages "triple bottom line" results -- for people, the planet and profits -- is an economy that's poised to succeed. We will reduce the risks of costly health problems like asthma, cancer and learning disabilities. Healthy, vibrant communities will attract new homebuyers and tourists. And innovative American companies will continue to bring solutions to consumers around the world.
Your green jobs only replace a limited portion of the jobs your policies destroy and are dependent on government largess and regulatory ham handedness to remain in the economy.
If you want people to be able to defend their environment then they first need to defend their trade from places like communist slave labor China!
Choice and competiton is a myth.
Ultimately, environmental technologies are good for the American economy. For the past 200 years, the American economy has experienced growth as a result of technological developments and the demand for these innovations. Today is no different. With that said, we cannot afford to let the voices of change to be silenced. We need new demand. We need more growth. Environmental efforts are just one way to accomplish this.
The EPA (and most other agencies of the federal govt) demonstrate a pattern of corruption and cronyism intent on discrediting green fuels to assure petrodollars flow their way. An ultimate betrayal?
The technology is here. Why doesn't BigOil actually try to get along with him? Cleaning up the environment is a growing part of total economy. But together, huge numbers of jobs.
Bold action? Perhaps here we are only arguing semantics. "... it was Theodore Roosevelt, who keyed in on the essence of ... a concept known as noblesse oblige. The term of art is a French phrase literally meaning "nobility obliges." According to this concept, citizens of wealth, power and privilege were balanced by public responsibilities to help those who lack such privilege or are less fortunate."
Experience Life among the Ordinary and read the first segment in a three part introductory series on Theodore Roosevelt at
http://lifeamongtheordinary.blogspot.com/2012/06/tr-and-noblesse-oblige-part-one.html
And some sectors in the long run, deplete societies' wealth directly and indirectly with misplaced and displaced priorities and resources - financial, materiel, and human.
In many situations there is initially a growth curve; but the same trajectory can later lead to a decline after achieving peak efficiency. Unfortunately many feel if a little is good; a lot is much better. And then they creat their own spin to retain their perch and feather their nests.
Any comprehensive dialog in this situtation is difficult because some dialog about extreemes. As an example, surgery can be very good; but too much surgery is always detrimental and can even kill the patient.
So clearly too much of a good thing is bad. In many situations (like govt bureaucracy and military) we have reached the point of negative returns and are facing the widespread ill-effects of the unintended consequences of good intentions and good beginings.
"Starve the beast" is the only way for those internally who are familiar with the situation / economic sector to develop a more efficient system for achievements. Yet such will not happen if the govt keeps "feeding the beast" with the "squeakiest wheel getting the most grease".
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Nope. This is nothing but wishful thinking, but the truth is that the green/sustainability industry will not create net employment.
The first reason why sustainability won't create net employment is that it is a replacement industry. Anything produced in the name of sustainability basically replaces something we already have. Electric cars replace gasoline cars. Solar power replaces utility power. Therefore, jobs that appear to be created are simply being shifted. The more electric cars you make, the fewer gasoline ones.
The second reason is technology. Every technological advance that affects the products we buy and sell results in the need for less labor in their production. So if 100 people lose their jobs making gasoline cars, will 100 be able to find jobs making electric cars? No, because the process of making an electric car requires less labor. This is because, as auto technology was evolving, so was automation technology.
It is true that it takes less people to manufacture a car today than it took 15 years ago. But we wouldn't be losing workers if they simply started making electric cars instead of gas cars.