Economics and the Environment

Pacific Rivers Council firmly believes that sound stewardship of freshwater ecosystems benefits the economy.  Arguments that pit environmental protection against jobs and economics are misleading.  In fact, environmental and economic health go hand in hand. 

President Barack Obama recently spoke about the economic importance of healthy ecosystems:

Throughout our history, there's been a tension between those who've
sought to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of future
generations, and those who have sought to profit from these resources.
But I'm here to tell you this is a false choice.  With smart,
sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and preserve the
environment for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.  That is
what we must do.  For you know, you know that our long-term prosperity depends upon the faithful stewardship of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we sow.

March 3, 2009, Remarks by the President to Commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the Department of Interior

This premise is also supported by a December 2003 letter to Western governors signed by more than 100 economists.  The letter put in plain words the economic importance of protecting and enhancing environmental quality:

“We are economists, and we are writing to express our concern about federal and state actions that harm the West’s natural environment and, as a result, the economic outlook for this region’s workers, families, firms, and communities.  The West’s natural environment is, arguably, its greatest, long-run economic strength.”  Read the full letter.

However, some politicians and decision makers question this premise and are actively working to undermine environmental protections because of claimed economic costs.  PRC works in a variety of contexts to demonstrate the economic benefits that result from environmental protection.  Aquatic ecosystems provide many ecosystem services that can be valued in economic terms, such as clean water, flood and landslide control, recreational opportunities, and quality of life.  PRC advocates for full disclosure of the true economic benefits and costs of land management and environmental protection decisions.