Carbon Emissions and the Economy

Kristof talks today about the need to reduce carbon emissions and points to Portland, Oregon as evidence that action in this area can be a boon and not the economic drain that conservatives claim it will be.

I am not too high on ancedotal cases, and it is possible that Portland has some other characteristics about it that have made these transitions a bit easier to handle. However, the things that they have done and the results appear to be very encouraging.

And that's with Kristof missing what I think to be the most important component of all this... yes, it isn't burdensome, it saves the city money, and it attracts people, but there is also this (bolds/italics mine):

What's more, officials in Portland insist that the campaign to cut carbon emissions has entailed no significant economic price, and on the contrary has brought the city huge benefits: less tax money spent on energy, more convenient transportation, a greener city, and expertise in energy efficiency that is helping local businesses win contracts worldwide.

When Bush talks about how carbon emissions would hurt our economy, what he really means is that it would have hurt the oil and coal business sector. He can't even say the "energy sector" because it would have been a boon to nuclear power, green technology, and alternative fuels. And how is it that oil is so great? Isn't that currently acting as a drag on our economy right now with prices through the roof?

If Bush were to end all the unnecessary tax cuts and subsidies to the coal and oil industries and perhaps throw a couple towards green technology and development, I would wager that our total economic picture would be as good or better while reaping the benefits of a better environment. But that's not what is driving Bush... he is completely in bed with the traditional energy sector, and as long as they are stuffing his pockets and those of other conservatives with cash, he will continue to sell out our economy and the environment.