New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff has a column in today's paper called "A Livable Shade of Green." What this column demonstrates, in its discussion of the green growth achieved by Portland, Oregon (see gorgeous photo at left), is that economic growth and environmental protection are not, as President Bush claims, mutually exclusive. In fact, Portland has "achieved stunning reductions in carbon emissions...while booming economically."Now, it's not exactly a big surprise that President Bush is wrong on , a big issue (the budget, WMD in Iraq, Social Security privatization, etc.). And, once again, when it comes to the environment he's about as 180 degrees wrong as he can possibly be. Thus, when Bush says that the Kyoto Protocol (on global warming) "would have wrecked the economy," he has it exactly backwards. And, as Krisftoff points out, Portland proves how wrong Bush is:
Newly released data show that Portland, America's environmental laboratory, has achieved stunning reductions in carbon emissions. It has reduced emissions below the levels of 1990, the benchmark for the Kyoto accord, while booming economically.What's more, officials in Portland insist that the campaign to cut carbon emissions has...brought the city huge benefits: less tax money spent on energy, more convenient transportation, a greener city, and expertise in energy efficiency that is helping local businesses win contracts worldwide.
Sounds pretty good, huh? So why can't our local and statewide Virginia governments give "green building" a jump start? Why can't we require private businesses to subsidize mass transit equally to parking for cars? Why can't we build streetcar systems in our towns and cities? Why can't we make biking and walking an attractive option to get people out of their cars (and into a healthier lifestyle in the process)?
Short answer: we can do all these things. We just need leaders with a bit of "green" vision in an environmental sense, combined with a bit of bit of respect for the "green" (as in MONEY) bottom line. Because, as Portland shows, the widespread misconception - epitomized by our President - that protecting the environment and growing the economy are mutually exclusive objectives is wildly off base. And, increasingly, cities, states, and private companies are realizing this as the "no brainer" it truly is. Which is why they are moving ahead and implementing their own environmentally friendly measures, even in the absence of federal government support.
I challenge all candidates running for office in Virginia this year to put forth plans and suggestions for environmentally friendly economic growth. Let's make Virginia the model state in the country for green buildings, bike trails, light rail, monorail, sidewalks, and transit-oriented development. Let's push energy efficiency measures (light-emitting diodes, hybrid vehicles, cogeneration) and renewable power (wind, solar, wave). Let's create a Virginia for the 21st century that can serve as a model for the nation - and the world. If Portland, Oregon can do it, so can we. What are we waiting for?