Vermont ranks in the top 6 of the nation in balancing environment and jobs

[Egnever]

States with the best environmental records also offer the
best job opportunities and climate for long-term economic
development. That's the conclusion of a study released today
by the Institute for Southern Studies, a non-profit research
center in Durham, North Carolina.

"In the 2000 elections, political leaders were still debating
about whether protecting the environment will cost jobs," says
Chris Kromm, a co-author of the report and Director of the
Institute . "What this study finds
is that the trade-off myth is untrue. At the state policy
level, efforts to promote a healthy environment and a
sound economy go hand-in-hand."

The study, entitled Gold and Green 2000, uses two separate lists
of indicators to evaluate each state's economic performance,
and the stresses on the natural environment. The 20 economic
indicators include annual pay, job opportunities, business
start-ups, and workplace injury rates; the 20 environmental
measures range from toxic emissions and pesticide use, to
energy consumption and urban sprawl. please visit http://www.southernstudies.org] Keith Ernst, J.D.,
Research Director at the Institute ,
and Jaffer Battica, a research associate, were the other
co-authors.

The report ranks states on each indicator, and the sum of
ranks produces a state's final score. Comparing the two
lists reveals remarkable correlations:

*** Seven states rank in the top 15 for both economic and
environmental health. Vermont, Rhode Island and Minnesota
rank in the top six on both lists. Other "top performers"
with high marks on both scales are Colorado, Maryland,
Maine, and Wisconsin.

[Egnever]

1. Aparently its more fun to read the attacks on his corporate "scandals"

than it is to face the truth that when it came to balancing corporations and environment he did a damn fine job.

Self kick just so people might take a look at reality.

[jpgray]

2. You need to remember how small Vermont is

And put the statistic in perspective. By no means was his environmental or corporate record wholly negative--you show that much above. You also have to parse how much of the state's welfare is the liberal legislature, and how much is the governor, and how much is intangible, etc. There are a lot of variables.

edit: I guess what this doesn't show is how Howard Dean alone effected the change. I'll try to dig up some positive articles for you outlining Dean's personal actions, if you want.

[KaraokeKarlton]

8. If you honestly believe that Vermont state politics is really liberal

then you are really not very well informed. We have far more Republicans in office in Vermont than people seem to realize. :shrug:

[killbotfactory]

3. That's why I like him

He can prove that the "helping the environment costs jobs!" bullcrap is a bunch of lies.

[LuminousX]

4. a kick just for kicks

:kick:

[kayob1]

5. Thanks for posting!

nm

[HFishbine]

6. Do you have a link

to the report cited, "Gold and Green 2000?"

[Egnever]

7. Sure heres a link that has a pdf version of the full report

http://greenplans.rri.org/resources/pubs/sos_appendices.html

So in the end despite all the screaming from the hardcore environmentalists we find that under Deans administration after 10 years in office his state ranked in the top 6 in the nation according to environmental groups in its balance between environment and jobs.

To tell you the truth I am grateful for the Dean is a corporate criminal thread cause it made me look into it a little deeper. Time after time when these threads make me look harder at Dean I come away liking what I find.

[HFishbine]

9. Thanks

I wanted to check on my state.

[mzmolly]

10. Not surprised. Thanks for sharing.

:)