Climate Action = Jobs

There is a misconception that protecting our climate from the greenhouse effect will have negative repercussions on the economy, but the reality is just the opposite. A number of reports have shown that the true costs of climate inaction are rising quickly. Deadly floods, elongated droughts, parasitic infections, crop damage, tidal surges, and stronger storms are no longer theoretical foes; they are the present-day reality of climate change.

In the words of former U.S. Representative Morris Udall, “If we are to have an energy system that strengthens our economy and serves the real needs of our citizens, it is now plain that drastic reforms are required.” As the visionary congressman realized in the 1970’s, we must improve our means of supplying power to our country’s businesses. Udall recognized the need to protect the environment in an effort to fortify our economy. In a 1975 speech, he stated, “Energy conservation, wise resource use and re-use — are not just a road, [but] the only road to more jobs and a healthy economy.” Environmental and climate protection are crucial not only to our health, but also to the integrity of a number of industries on which we rely, from agriculture to tourism.

Ill-advised politicians claim that economic growth and protection of our planet are mutually…