A recent article in The Economist notes that conservatives view environmental issues in much the same way liberals view defense issues, theyre just not comfortable with them. While there are a growing number of environmental conservatives, this attitude has persisted among the main-stream conservative party for at least the past two decades.
The Economist cites some very real reasons for George Bush to paint his party green, like the Evangelical Christian movement that is asking “what would Jesus drive?” and the reality that the solution to our countrys dependence on foreign oil is to use less, not drill more.
From the perspective of the Bicycle, Outdoor, and SnowSports Industries, there are some very different reasons for fiscal conservatives to look at the environment in a new light. In fact, research reports have been surfacing in the outdoor industry that just might start transforming the mainstream conservative party into a driving force behind many positive environmental reforms.
For years there has been the perception that big industry equals jobs, which equals economic well-being for the country. As a result, many fiscal conservatives view additional oil and gas development as a positive step, after all more jobs usually means more votes. An independent report commissioned by the Coalition for the Valle Vidal and conducted by the University of Montana has found that oil and gas development does not actually help local economies in the long-run, and its impact on local economies in the short-term is minimal, at best.
The report, Local Economic Impacts of Gas Development in Valle Vidal, New Mexico, reviews economic trends in Colfax (N.M.) and Las Animas (Colo.) counties and the projected level of gas development for the Valle Vidal, a national forest close to the border of N.M. and Colo.
The report found that drilling the Valle Vidal will be a net economic loss for the communities of northern New Mexico. Recreation on the Valle Vidal currently generates anywhere from $2 million to $5 million for local economies. Income generated from coal bed methane (CBM) drilling will not offset that loss and job creation from drilling the Valle Vidal will add less than one percent to area employment figures, if that. Furthermore, many recreation-based jobs could be lost.
Finally, many of the jobs created by drilling in this area will not be available to local residents due to the specialized workers upon which the oil and gas industry typically relies. These workers have historically been brought in from other developed areas where the oil and gas extraction activity has subsided.
The report has swayed many public officials to comment on the Bureau of Land Managements oil and gas leasing policies.
“The Valle Vidal makes Colfax County unique and its a critical piece of our economic equation,” said Colfax County Commissioner, James Marchetti. “Drilling it is shortsighted, it destroys the very reason why our children want to stay here and others want to relocate, retire, and visit here.”
A separate study, conducted by the non-profit Sonoran Institute has found much the same. The report, Prosperity in the 21st Century West: The Role of Protected Public Lands, identifies factors that are vital for economic success in the West and describes the contributing role of protected public lands. Among other points, the report discovered that Wilderness, National Parks, National Monuments, and other protected public lands, “ can and do play an important role in stimulating economic growth – and the more protected, the better.”
Outdoor Industry Association has been the champion behind this same movement. OIA has drafted an official position statement on the matter, supporting preservation, and is also in the process of conducting its own research study which should put an exact number on the economic benefits of preserving recreation areas. OIA is currently finalizing its search for a research firm and they expect the study to be published in early 2006. Likewise, the annual Capital Summit allows OIA members to meet face-to-face with members of Congress and lay out the benefits of preservation. With this solid economic research paving the way, it is quite easy to see the parallel between the fiscally conservative philosophy and the preservation of recreation gems.
Drawing this parallel is particularly important given the recent events surrounding drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Senate voted by a razor-thin margin to take the first step towards drilling for oil in ANWR as part of the Federal Budget Resolution. Some conservative Senators are seeing the importance of preservation, and a bipartisan group attempted to safeguard this wilderness area. Nonetheless, 51 Senators voted against the Cantwell Amendment, which was designed to safeguard ANWR by removing Arctic drilling revenues from the Budget Resolution.
In spite of all of the media hype, drilling in ANWR is not a foregone conclusion. Even after the vote on the Cantwell amendment, the Senate must pass the budget resolution before it goes to the conference committee. There, they must iron out their differences with the House spending plan, which does not assume Arctic drilling revenues. The next step is the Budget Reconciliation Bill where Congress must pass the actual legislation to authorize opening the Arctic Refuge to drilling.
The closing line of the article in The Economist says that the greening of the conservative party is “ a revolution waiting to happen.” The economic research is in place, there seems to be mounting social pressure — the only ingredient needed for a true revolution is the call to action.
