by Patricia Stewart

Created on: April 07, 2009

I rarely agreed with President Bush, but when he said our nation was addicted to oil, he was right. When people complain about environmental regulations harming the economy I have to wonder how far they have thought that idea out. Is it hurting the economy to avoid health issues, or we build the economy by supporting asthma medicines, oxygen supply companies and other health industries.

If we prevent problems from happening so there aren't expensive, damaging accidents, are we harming the economy? Or should we employ hazardous waste clean up companies and health industries by allowing "the same old, same old to happen?"

The world is changing, and I realize that it's scary for a lot of people to deal with. We are so used to not having to deal with repercussions of our actions, outsourcing our obligations and having "free time," it's scary to consider what "thoughtful living," might be like. But actually doing things ourselves, planning ahead and enjoying lower costs and a lower stress life is a wonderful way of living, if we just give it time. It's not new. Our ancestors did it for hundreds of years. Of course, ignorance of consequences made things a lot easier back in the Middle Ages, but now that we know that bacteria is present and can be helpful or dangerous, we can make adjustments in the way we do things.

Growing a healthy economy through a healthier world is very beneficial, for everyone. Continuing to use petroleum products wastefully may seem like a "cheap alternative," but not when we look at the costs in medical and disposal costs. How much will it cost to have a comfortable climate when the water levels rise, storms are more frequent and the soils are depleted by run off? That's an economic cost that we have not dealt with, and should be factored into any "cost/benefit analysis."

So, if we are to have a sustainable growing economy for the future there has to be some pain now. In some cases it will be drawn out and painful, such as reordering our transportation systems. But in some cases it's easy to gradually change our ways. Every action brings both a positive reaction and diminishes a negative one, so there is a built in benefit for every change we make. In some cases, it's better to just "rip off the bandaid," and get it over with, such as paying carbon taxes to give financial incentives to a cleaner life. But continuing to nurture "the present economy," at the expense of the future one, and the possibility of continuing to grow, is a much wiser course of action than complacency in the name "supporting the economy." Support the future, and start supporting the new system that's growing now.

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