Post on 09-Jun-2015
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Building a Healthy Economy
October, 2009
APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Building Economy, Community & Environment
Before any development, we should first ask ourselves three questions:
What is already here?
What does nature allow us to do here?
What does nature help us to do here?
Wendell Berry
“Warming of the climate system is now unequivocal. Global atmospheric
concentrations GHG’s have increased
markedly as a result of human activities and
now far exceed pre-industrial levels”
2007 report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change
Carbon Emissions: Food vs. Household
Declining Land Base
Worldwide, available productive land has decreased from 14 acres per person to
3.7 acres per person over the past century
Global Ecological Footprint
Shipping increased 10 times from 1950 – 2000.
Average bite of food in the United States travels 1,500 miles
We’ve embarked on the beginning of the last days
of the age of oil.
Mike BowlinChairman and CEO, ARCO (1999)
Sources & Sinks
Essential ecosystem functions can be thought of as “sources & sinks”.
Sources, both renewable and non-renewable
provide the materials and energy needed for our livelihoods and economy.
Sinks assimilate our wastes and bi-products.
Sources & Sinks
Sources & Sinks = NATURAL CAPITAL
Natural Capital = Rural Wealth
Natural Capital and the Economy
Historically, natural capital has been
overused and undervalued,leading to high rates of
degradation and low wealth accumulation in
rural communities.
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1910 1930 1950 1970 1990
Input Farming Marketing
PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• Sustainable development is locally rooted
• Sustainable development fits within the ecosystem
• Sustainable development adds value to raw materials and shortens the distance between producers and consumers
• Sustainable development builds self-reliance and cooperation
• Sustainable development lasts indefinitely
GREEN JOB CATEGORIES
• Restoration and Mitigation
• Efficiency and Waste Reduction
• Renewable Energy
• Health, Self Reliance and Localization
Restoration and Mitigation
• Conversion of brown fields
• Building adaptation and restoration
• Soil, forest and habitat restoration
• Pollution prevention technologies
• Sustainable forestry, farming and fisheries
Efficiency & Waste Reduction
• Recycling, reuse, remanufacturing
• Public transit, fuel efficient cars, trucks, tractors and equipment
• Green building, LEED
• Heating and cooling, LED lighting
• Waste and water conservation systems
Renewable Energy
• Solar – photovoltaic, solar water heaters
• Wind
• Geothermal
• Waste to fuel, biomass
Health, Self-reliance & Localization
• Organic, sustainable foods and farming
• Food preservation, seed saving
• “Re-skilling” services and materials
• Downtown revitalization
• Healthy eating, wellness, prevention
What is the Economic Potential?
UN study (2008) projected doubling in market for “environmental products and services” by 2020; 20 million jobs in sustainable energy alone
Duke University study (2008) cited strong job growth in multiple green collar sectors
*Importance of “value chains”
Farmers Markets in the United States, 1970 - 2000
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1970 1980 1990 2000
Survey – Key findings
• Estimated 1,617 customers on that day, 898 “active shoppers”
• Increase of 750 customers over 2007 (partly due to time of year)
• Estimated 10 – 25% growth over last year
Virginian’s Spend $14.8 Billion on food each year
$8.9 Billion is purchased from out of state
If Virginia Consumers bought just 15% of their food directly from local
farms, farmers would earn $2.2 Billion of new income each year.
“Small Marts” – small firms, household businesses, non-profits and local
government services – account for 58% of the U.S. unlikely to move overseas.
Michael Shuman
State and local payments to large firms now total $50 Billion per year.
Peters and Fisher
Study of an Illinois community: Local vs Chain Restaurant – 25% more economic impact retail
– 63%; services 90%