How Does Environmental Policy Actually Impact The Environment?
The perception that environmental policy comes at the expense of economic growth is a widespread sentiment in American Politics:
Let’s look at some of the reasons for these beliefs:
However, are they true? Let’s visualize some of the policy outcomes:
While economic success isn’t certain when it comes to environmental policy, many of the most popular proposals are not just economically viable, but profitable.
Looking at the research, it’s clear that a dichotomy between economic growth and environmental protection is unfounded.
How did this dichotomy start in the first place?
In 1994, Allan Schnaiberg and Kenneth Gould claimed that increased production, especially since WWII, has been tightly linked to social welfare both through results and rhetoric. Economics have become so inherently tied to advancing social well-being that other issues, like sustaining the environment, fall to the wayside. Thus, the historical prerequisite of the economy being essential to societal success has conditioned many to think that investing in anything other than the economy would be counter to social well-being.
From news sources framing any environmental policy as job killer to politicians claiming the environment and the economy as a zero-sum game, this widespread rhetoric has primed many to think the two are incapable of working together, when in reality, they can.
For more information (and the source of this section), see Stefano B. Longo and Joseph O. Baker, “Economy ‘versus’ Environment: The Influence of Economic Ideology and Political Identity on Perceived Threat of Eco‐Catastrophe”
What Can You Do To Help?
Want to know more? Here’s where to start:
Project Drawdown has a wonderful compilation of climate policies. Each comes with a technical summary and links to further information.
The OECD publishes articles and reports on the economics of the United States, including interactions with climate policy and the environment.
IRENA is a climate policy agency which regularly compiles reports for international community on climate policy and its implications.
