Economy vs Environtment
Oftentimes, legislators refer to the economy as to why there is a lack of pro-conservation and environmental policy voting. It is imperative to understand that a healthy environment goes hand-in-hand with a healthy economy. In fact, NC is ranked by national business publications, like Forbes, as “one of the top places to do business.” Rankings account for important environmental criteria including quality of life (and access to natural areas) and fairness of the regulatory environment. One exciting example of how NC allures new business is the recent announcement of popular brewing company Sierra Nevada announcing its second brewery location in Western NC.
Even if you don’t like beer, there are lots of people that drink it. Not only do these people like beer, but they like touring breweries and visiting the unique locations that offer a distinct “microbrew” culture. This “beer tourism” certainly doesn’t hurt our state’s economy. The 95 full-time jobs and 80 part-time positions the brewery will bring over the next five years will surely help as well. The founder of Sierra Nevada, Ken Grossman explains why they picked NC for their East Coast location: “The beer culture, water quality and quality of life are excellent.” Following Sierra Nevada, this past April the Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewing company announced plans to also build a new brewery in Asheville, NC. There you have it! A clear cut example of how good environmental regulation leads to economic success.
To hit a little more closely to home: NC seafood contributes $67million a year. 95% of all seafood consumed spends a portion of its life in salt marsh habitats. Our White Oak basin encompasses 140,000 acres of salt marshes (About 35% of the size of Onslow County). There is a message here signaling that the money we make from our seafood industry is directly affected by the health of our environment (salt marshes). The message becomes even more alerting by the fact that since the 1900s, NC’s oyster harvesting has declined by 90%. Today, the White Oak River has permanently closed 42% of its shellfish harvesting due to polluted storm water runoff (toxins, fecal coliform, nitrates, and various metals). It is now common for oysters to be imported from other states in the Gulf region. Last month, Louisiana waters were closed and ordered a recall of oysters after 14 people became ill with the norovirus from consuming oysters that were contaminated by sewage dumped from a boat in the harvesting area.
No, I am not saying drink more beer and eat less oysters. Hopefully we can have both, and even more options in the future that could bring us more products from business that our state’s environmental regulations and water quality can attract. It is important for us citizens to help make sure we have representatives in the General Assembly that understand Economy and Environment work together rather than against. You can visit the NC League of Conservation Voters, a statewide advocacy organization that educates citizens about how state leaders vote on selected bills, particularly focusing on electing those who make public health and conservation a priority for NC’s economy and quality of life.
