Community leaders across Springfield met at the Library Center on Wednesday to speak about how “going green” won’t only help save the planet, but will also help save the economy. KSMU’s Adam Hammons reports.

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Speakers from different areas of expertise explained how important it is to just be aware of the planet and how the results of doing your part can benefit everyone. Alexander Wait, a professor of biology at Missouri State University explains.

“We have to change our behavior, and changing our behavior is hard but changing our behavior doesn’t mean that you have to live necessarily differently or worse I should say. Our standard of living can be the same, and everyone can have a better standard of living.”

Congress is also getting involved in the cause, with a bill known as the American Climate Energy Security Act, or “A.C.E.S. Act.” The bill addresses concerns about climate change and puts the nation on a clean energy path while also addressing national security.

Supporters of the bill say it will decrease our dependence on coal while also trying to find new energy sources. Debbie Sease, national campaign director of the Sierra Club, talked about how much the bill could help both the environment and the economy.

“This is one of those times when what’s good for the environment is also good for the economy. What we need to do to fix our economy is very much the same thing we need to do to fix what’s wrong with our environment. So, it’s a win-win.”

With new energy sources and new technology, job openings in the so-called “green sector” are sprouting everywhere. Between 1997 and 2007, clean energy jobs grew by 9.1 percent nationally while regular jobs grew by only 3.7 percent.

For KSMU, I’m Adam Hammons.
 

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