Education - The Key to Constituency Happiness
By Karen Schultz, Sr. Marketing and Community Outreach Manager
Funding. That was the word – and concern – which most of the commissioners at the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) policy forum mentioned late last week in their discussion about the priorities for Minnesota’s environment.
No surprise. In these economic times, decisions about the environment get tougher. For example, as Commissioner David Fredrikson, MN Department of Agriculture, pointed out, with limited financial resources we must make sure there exists a healthy environment and a healthy farm economy. That’s not as easy as it sounds.
Further, Commissioner Paul Aasen, MN Pollution Control Agency, talked about the inherent dichotomies of environmental management and policy and the need for balance: “…timely decisions and sufficient debate, jurisdiction and accountability/responsibility …” and on.
For energy, the issue seemed to be how to finance clean energy. Add to it, said Deputy Commissioner Bill Grant, MN Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES), all of the other issues about energy - including those coming from Japan, Minnesotans wanting renewable energy but not wanting wind turbines in their back yards, and the like – and the balance gets more delicate.
All in all, the event was fascinating, but a bit unenthusiastic. Certainly optimism has not been the cornerstone of this economy and our collective challenges have gotten greater. However, solutions that secure a clean environment are worth seeking out, as there truly are opportunities in the midst of our challenges.
Solutions. There were two notable solutions mentioned at the event:
By Karen Schultz, Sr. Marketing and Community Outreach Manager
Funding. That was the word – and concern – which most of the commissioners at the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) policy forum mentioned late last week in their discussion about the priorities for Minnesota’s environment.
No surprise. In these economic times, decisions about the environment get tougher. For example, as Commissioner David Fredrikson, MN Department of Agriculture, pointed out, with limited financial resources we must make sure there exists a healthy environment and a healthy farm economy. That’s not as easy as it sounds.
Further, Commissioner Paul Aasen, MN Pollution Control Agency, talked about the inherent dichotomies of environmental management and policy and the need for balance: “…timely decisions and sufficient debate, jurisdiction and accountability/responsibility …” and on.
For energy, the issue seemed to be how to finance clean energy. Add to it, said Deputy Commissioner Bill Grant, MN Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES), all of the other issues about energy - including those coming from Japan, Minnesotans wanting renewable energy but not wanting wind turbines in their back yards, and the like – and the balance gets more delicate.
All in all, the event was fascinating, but a bit unenthusiastic. Certainly optimism has not been the cornerstone of this economy and our collective challenges have gotten greater. However, solutions that secure a clean environment are worth seeking out, as there truly are opportunities in the midst of our challenges.
Solutions. There were two notable solutions mentioned at the event:
1. Deputy Commissioner Bill Grant – There will be an executive order for state buildings to reduce energy use by 20 percent.
2. Commissioner Tom Landwehr, MN Department of Natural Resources – There is a proposal to increase license fees (for the first time in 10 years) to continue environmental stewardship – especially the fight against invasive species.
Both initiatives harken to what we’ve heard from our fellow Minnesotans during discussions at community events and forums: keep the environment safe and clean for all citizens, be responsible with public money and be innovative.
Importantly, the two initiatives not only reflect the voice “of the people,” but also are balanced with fiscal responsibility. And, interestingly, they may even create jobs in the process.
Conservation is not as hard as some make it. Fee for play makes sense for land use and less is more when it comes to energy use.
The key is really education. When people understand change, it’s much easier to embrace – particularly when the end result reflects their core values.
Importantly, the two initiatives not only reflect the voice “of the people,” but also are balanced with fiscal responsibility. And, interestingly, they may even create jobs in the process.
Conservation is not as hard as some make it. Fee for play makes sense for land use and less is more when it comes to energy use.
The key is really education. When people understand change, it’s much easier to embrace – particularly when the end result reflects their core values.
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