Environmentalists and entrepreneurs need each other

Enlarge Image

When I was young, I fought with my sister. As the older sibling, I was sometimes mean and aggressive. My younger sister fought back by getting me in trouble and outwitting me. It caused some family misery, but somehow, mostly due to my sister’s reasonable and wise nature, we came to realize that we had a lot to gain by getting along.

Through the years, my sister has been one of my best friends and allies. We take care of family problems together, discuss and resolve issues, give good advice to one another and greatly enjoy each other’s company. We’re a great team.

Recent disagreements among clean energy promoters and members of the environmental community remind me of growing up with my sister. I have heard environmental angst about the impact of wind and solar farms on wildlife and scenery. In turn, clean energy developers become frustrated when their plans are delayed or stopped.

Oregon is in the position as a national leader in clean energy and is on the front line confronting these issues. We are learning that developing renewable energy requires land (or sea), and that will reshape parts of our environment.

But make no mistake: Environmental advocates and clean energy entrepreneurs dearly need each other. Our very success depends upon strong teamwork. Because of that, it is best to learn to get along and find ways to fight alongside each other rather than against each other; we should discuss and resolve issues, and provide mutual support.

Why? Climate change is one of the key threats to the natural environment. Wildlife habitat, drought, stream and ocean health will be affected by the warming predicted for our region.

Scientists are already pointing to dramatic shifts in migratory patterns of birds, the decrease in salmon from traditional habitat, shifts in growing seasons and more. Beetles and reduced snowpack are affecting our forests and scenery. Climate change is and needs to be a key concern to the environmental community.

Clean energy entrepreneurs

We need clean entrepreneurs of all types to solve climate change. Without switching away from fossil fuels and investing in new sources of energy, we cannot stop carbon emissions. It is that simple. Wind, waves, geothermal, biomass and solar, in large quantities, and increased energy efficiency, are necessary to solve climate change.

We need new vehicles and transportation fuels. We will not have clean energy without enthusiastic and energetic involvement of the clean energy business community. Business people make it happen. Entrepreneurs come up with plans, raise money, hire contractors, get permits, make the deals, and install and run clean energy systems. They take risks, invest their savings. They need to be aggressive, creative, smart and hardworking.

As a result of their efforts in Oregon so far, we are on our way to meet goals to produce 20 percent of our electricity through renewable energy in Oregon. We are making early progress in leveling the growth of carbon emissions. We also have new jobs, economic opportunity and new industries in Oregon.

The environmental community

Clean energy is a policy-driven business. Fossil fuel prices don’t include the “external” costs of production. Coal mining disasters and oil spills have been in the news, but the costs of fossil fuel pollution will be borne by our fishing industry, wine producers, storm-ravaged business and property owners and future generations. We need policies that integrate the full costs of fossil fuels into the marketplace.

And, we need a suite of policies and incentives to promote clean energy. Oregon has taken the lead with policies such as the Business Energy Tax Credit, the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and the Feed-in Tariff. Without such policies, clean energy cannot readily compete with fossil fuels. We need policy to drive clean energy markets.

All of these policies were put into place with strong advocacy from the environmental community. Continuous pressure and new policies are needed to create clean energy markets. This pressure must come from an alliance between the full environmental community and clean energy entrepreneurs.

The clean energy community and environmental groups

The environmental community and clean energy entrepreneurs should get to know one another and learn about each other’s concerns. Personal relationships and trust are essential. It will be useful for the environmental community to understand and respect the business requirements of clean energy projects. What is the timing and how much investment is involved? Likewise, it is critical for the business community to understand and respect the key issues for environmental advocates.

• Develop a shared understanding of facts. What is a good climate plan for Oregon? What are the solutions? How does a particular project contribute?

• Create dialogue around the sore spots. Environmental advocates and business leaders need to create a process to resolve issues — to find a mutual understanding before either side is too dug in.

• Work to support each others’ issues. The business community can be active in supporting legislation and involved in policy. It can support the environmental community through attending events and providing information and support. The environmental community can listen carefully to the needs and concerns of businesses, and work to craft and support bills that are helpful to our economy. Clean energy companies can join the team as strong advocates for the climate. Environmental groups can advocate for the clean energy economy.

Clearly, Oregon has created much success for our state through clean energy. This success has had a positive impact around the state and created jobs, new tax revenue, new companies and a position of national leadership. Clean energy has created excitement and passion in rural and urban areas. We are in a great position to build on our success.

Lisa Adatto is the Oregon director for Climate Solutions. Learn more about the organization at www.climatesolutions.org.