Like it or not, environmental improvement is intrinsically bound up with the economy.
The Tangible Portion of the Economy
Everything physical thing that has been sold, whether harvested, mined, constructed, manufactured, resold and eventually disposed of or recycled, comes from the earth. Just look around wherever you are. Unless you are out in the forest, each and every tangible item in view flowed through many parts of the economy and created jobs for many people. In other words this planet is our cash cow.
Perhaps we are selling, for example, dried dandelion flowers made into a decorative sculpture. We need to protect all the ingredients needed to produce that finished product. The soil, air and water all contribute to the profitability of the finished product.
Economic growth now and for future generations is especially relevant. The definition of cash cow is; a business, investment, or product that provides a steady income or profit. We can overwork our cash cow for a while and get fast profits, but if she burns out and collapses, we are left with nothing.
The reality is that we need to perceive and relate to this planet as a compassionate gardener would to his garden. A garden is an organic living entity that requires tending and nurturing. The garden is a microcosm of the earth.
With the foresight knowing that its output is dependent on the health and wellness we maintain; The garden will thrive.
For most of history people did not recognize that the earth / garden is a closed and finite system. It was considered inexhaustible and indestructible. Businesses considered only the short term benefits regarding the tangible financial system.
Today business and government realize that both short and long term economic growth depends on practicing the sound principles of a caring gardener.
Follow the Money
We’ve all been subjected to a lifetime of promotion / publicity / hype / advertising / propaganda campaigns from every direction. The wealthy sources have done such a good job, we don’t even realize we’ve been conditioned not to question the validity of these campaigns.
Letting go of the preconceptions that have been ingrained in our minds is difficult. Economics is both complex and simpler than you may think. Like a garden, it just needs water, sunshine, and the solid foundations of common sense in the soil.