Creating a Sustainable Economy

by Greg Gerritt
2002 Green Party Candidate for Mayor of Providence, RI.

Providence was once one of the most prosperous cities in the world, but the de-industrialization of America, with manufacturing moving to low wage countries, sent us, and many cities like Providence, into a downward spiral. Twenty years of continuous efforts to revitalize the economy around retail, tourism, conventions, and high tech have been only partially successful, as evidenced by the very high poverty rates in Providence and the growing gap between rich and poor. 

Given the rather meager results of the standard economic development model, I would suggest that a new approach, one aimed at creating a sustainable economy, is needed. So what is a sustainable economy, and why will it bring greater prosperity to the community than the current model. And if it is such a good idea, why aren't more places trying this approach? 

The planetary environment is much larger the human economy, and provides the foundation upon which the economy is built. A sustainable economy is one in which maintaining the health of the environment is understood as being as important as any other factor, and in which human activities seek to work with natural systems rather than destroy them. Partially this comes out of the observation that the poorest communities are also the ones in which the ecosystems they are embedded in are the most damaged, and that healing these ecosystems always results in a decrease in poverty. The reason this is not more widely used as the basis for economic development actions by governments is that powerful political and financial interests keep their power by preventing the actions necessary for the healing of ecosystems. Oil companies have no interest in clean cars, even though that would save a community like Providence millions in air pollution related health care costs. Lead based paints are cheaper than other formulas, so it took an incredible effort to get the lead out. You need more examples?  

We have all heard the old adage, "A penny saved is a penny earned." How about "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." One of the cores of a sustainable economy is that every cent we do not have to spend fixing a problem is money we can use to do the right thing. Preventing air pollution is cheaper than treating people with lung disease, preventing global warming is cheaper than replacing all the houses damaged by rising sea levels, keeping a healthy agriculture and growing food locally is cheaper than importing food from 3000 miles away, especially when you consider the damage to the larger environment that shipping, pesticides, and sprawl cause.  

In Providence a sustainable economy would include: 

1. Building super energy efficient affordable housing out of locally available materials, including things we now throw away. 

2.A clean fuel economy, including solar and wind powered electricity generation, clean cars, mass transit, bicycling, and walking. 

3. Actually cleaning and restoring the rivers in Providence rather than just making the shorelines look good. Imagine if the rivers were actually fishable and swimmable and the salt marshes productive. 

4. Support for start up businesses focused on energy efficiency, clean fuels, and better utilization of locally available resources. 

5. Support for entrepreneurs producing things from local materials to fulfill local needs. 

6.A tax structure that rewards ecological healing and employment, while helping to end pollution and speculation. 

7.A 10 fold increase in the amount of food grown in the city. We must encourage home gardening, community gardens, and commercial agriculture. This of course means that we must continue efforts to get the lead out. 

8.A 50% reduction in the amount of trash generated in the city and a massive increase in recycling. Support for the development of businesses that will turn recyclables into products we need locally as well as rules requiring packaging to be easily recyclable. 

9. Support for businesses building on the skills that are already present in the community rather than just relying on education to create people ready to fit into the current economic system. 

10. Further support for micro loan programs to help people start businesses and gain the skills need to make them successful. 

Practitioners of current economic development practices might argue that while these things are admirable, a plan that does not increase hotel rooms or other support currently powerful interests will not be successful. I would beg to differ. 

We need true transformation of the economy into a sustainable economy if we are to get to real prosperity. We need an approach that breaks the old mold and replaces it with one that truly works for the poor and the polluted. 

Until the environment is treated as an equal partner in economic development planning, we are going to continue to see new problems crop up every time we try to make progress, and these will continue to lead to increases in poverty and a lower quality of life. More of the same, downtown real estate speculation, hotels, and kowtowing to big corporations, will only bring us more poverty, disease, and inequality, so join with me in working for real prosperity as we march towards a truly sustainable economy. 

This article is the work of the authors only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Green Party of the United States.  If you wish to send a message to the editors regarding this or any item on the website, please email us.