As graphs and charts pertaining to the U.S. economy point downwards and policymakers continue to make grave predictions regarding the persistence of difficult economic times, individuals worldwide are adjusting to the reality of recession. A new poll released by the Pew Research Center suggests that one component of this adjustment is a reshuffling of public priorities, and public concern regarding environmental issues may be changing as a result.
According to the poll, people's concern with energy issues has increased slightly — energy was named a top priority for about 60 percent of respondents. Global warming and protecting the environment, however, have slid significantly in the public conscience, at 30 percent and about 40 percent, respectively.
At the same time, experts, policymakers and the Obama administration are drawing attention to the economic crisis as a genuine opportunity to increase the use of sustainable energy, and Tufts plans to take their advice.
Frank Ackerman, an economist at Tufts' Global Development and Environment Institute, explained that a decline in public interest regarding environmental issues may result from a fundamental misconception regarding the role that environmental protection should play in government and society.
"The danger is that many people and politicians will believe that we can't afford to do anything about the environment until we solve the economic crisis," Ackerman said. "This mistaken view treats environmental protection as a luxury that we can postpone buying until everyone is back to work."
Ackerman added that certain characteristics of economic slump may make environmental concerns appear less urgent to many Americans.
"Reduced emissions [from factories and other business operations] due to the slump create a little breathing room. The price of oil has fallen as a direct result of the economic crisis, perhaps creating a false sense that our energy problems have been solved," he said.
Junior Daniel Enking, a leading member of the Tufts Energy Forum, a student group which serves as a forum for discussion and research regarding energy issues, attributes this national decline both to economic uncertainty and the perceived cost of living green, as well as the decrease in gas prices.
"Before, people had the extra money and thought of being environmentally friendly. When gas prices were higher, you'd get a hybrid car, save money and help the climate. Now, that's kind of gone off of the radar," he said.
Sarah Hammond Creighton, project manager for Tufts' Office of Sustainability, believes that environmental initiatives should continue despite a change in public opinion regarding their importance.
"While public opinion may have gone down, the climate crisis didn't change. The evidence is getting worse and worse," she said.
Indeed, a closer look at the relationship between issues of environmental protection and energy sustainability and the economic crisis reveal that the two may potentially have an intricate and constructive relationship.
"The economic downturn may increase resistance to taxes or anything that raises the price of energy," Ackerman said, "It should, however, create opportunities for spending money where it is needed, putting people back to work and solving the energy [and] climate problem[s]."
Enking echoed the idea that smart public spending could be a key to helping both environmental and economic issues. "Academia and experts have been saying that a great way to get out of this recession is through the green economy," he said. "We need a ton of public spending to get us out of this recession, and that could be spent on green jobs, green energy infrastructure and smart power grids."
Creighton explained that the economic stimulus package passed last week by the Obama administration may encourage this kind of spending, especially on energy issues. "There's a fair amount in the stimulus package for green energy, weatherization and energy efficiency," she said. Still, she expressed concern that the bill might not contain enough resources for a comprehensive solution.
Creighton hopes that Tufts will be directly affected by this aspect of the stimulus bill. She explained that the university is applying for and utilizing programs run by electric utility companies that provide incentives, subsidized by the stimulus bill, for efficiency.
Creighton pointed out additional legislation linking the environment and the economy on the state level, which will affect Tufts if it passes.
"[Governor] Deval Patrick has advanced the Global Warming Solution Act, which is an act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large emitters, of which Tufts is one," she said.
Regardless of the end result of this bill or the efficacy of the federal stimulus package, Creighton and the Office of Sustainability are working hard to find ways to concurrently address on-campus issues of environmental sustainability both within the university's economic constraints and to help alleviate them.
"Current economic challenges create increased incentives for keeping energy efficiency as a priority," Creighton said.
To this end, Tufts has engaged in a number of behind-the-scenes projects to allow the university to spend less on energy and waste management. A number of new projects have advanced since December, including a high-efficiency boiler on the Boston campus, an assessment of the energy system at the animal hospital on the Grafton campus and several projects intended to increase the efficiency of Tufts' lighting systems.
Changes in the economy and Tufts' resources have forced the Office of Sustainability to reassess its projects and pursue those that are most efficient, according to Creighton.
"The good thing, perhaps, is that the economic times focus us on doing the most important projects, and those that have the biggest savings," she said. "If you can only do one project instead of two, you get more environmental fiscal benefits in terms of efficiency."
Creighton stressed that economic hard times make these projects more important than ever. "We're mindful of their first cost, but there's a real recognition that you need to spend money to save money," she said.
Enking explained that the awareness of linkages between the environment and the economy displayed by the Office of Sustainability can also be seen at the level of the student body.
"I think people have become more interested in energy due to the stimulus package and climate change," he said. "More people have joined [Tufts Energy Forum] because energy has gone up on the national agenda, even if general environmental concerns may be decreasing in general public awareness."
Ackerman hopes that a continued interest in these initiatives will create broad opportunities for the U.S. economy as it weathers the next few years.
"This will create a different pattern of economic growth, inventing the new technologies that are essential for a low-carbon economy," he said.
