Green Lining

The environmental upside to an otherwise disagreeable occurrence – an eco silver lining.

The global economic downturn has sent analysts and journalists scurrying for good news, and many have found a green lining to the cloud of fiscal doom:

The World Resources Institute noted:

With both the U.S. and China looking to use clean energy investments to reinvigorate their economies – and with China’s slower emissions growth – we have a unique opportunity to make progress on our shared interests in resolving climate change and creating healthier, more sustainable economies.

In May, USA Today reported:

Plummeting real estate values and demand for new housing are hammering developers but helping conservationists, enabling land trusts to buy thousands of acres that were slated for development and preserve them as open space

And, in Business Week, Andrew Winston argued:

The recession brings one positive development: The drop in energy prices gives companies and our economy a bit of breathing room to find efficiencies and get off of oil as fast as possible. So take advantage of the reprieve, push your people to do more with less, and innovate to set your company up for rapid growth and success when times get better. They always do. .