Environment

WPC's Center for the Environment brings balance to the environmental debate by promoting the idea that human progress and prosperity work in a free economy to protect the environment.

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What's New

Should Cities Ban Plastic Bags? No: The Harm Is Overblown

October 8, 2012 in Publications
By

Todd Myers, Director, Center for the Environment

, October, 2012

The Wall Street Journal published this column on October 8, 2012 as part of its "Squaring Off on the Environment" Journal Report.

Across the world, cities are joining the latest environmental fad — banning plastic grocery bags. Activists think banning the bags is a simple and environmentally responsible approach.

Should Cities Ban Plastic Bags?

October 8, 2012 in In the News
The Wall Street Journal
Source: 
The Wall Street Journal
Date: 
Monday, October 8, 2012
Link: 
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444165804578006832478712400.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Greens vs. Science: The 2012 Award for Most Thoughtless, Anti-Science Comment

October 3, 2012 in Blog

There are still three months left in the year, but the chances of anyone saying something more anti-science than today’s nominee is pretty small. And that includes those who cite the Mayan calendar as evidence the world is coming to an end this Dec. 21.

The 2012 Award for Most Thoughtless, Anti-Science Comment goes to Trudy Bialic of Seattle-based PCC Markets. Congratulations!

Seattle's Dolphin Safe Forests

September 25, 2012 in Blog

With any luck, Seattle's urban forests will soon be certified dolphin safe. That may seem strange, but it would be just about as meaningful as the city recently receiving a forest certification it promises it will never use.

Great New Book on Science and the Environment

September 14, 2012 in Blog

One of the consistent issues we address here is the gap between the science and Washington's environmental policy - even as policymakers and politicians claim to be following the science. Now there is a great book from the editor of Real Clear Science highlighting the many ways left-wing environmentalists ignore the science when it is inconvenient to their ideology.

Free Market Environmentalism That Works

August 24, 2012 in Publications
By

Todd Myers, Director, Center for the Environment

, August, 2012

Business Pulse Magazine published this column in its August 2012 issue.

When it comes to helping the environment, politicians like to tell us that without them, businesses would severely damage the environment – recklessly using resources in the search of profit. The simple truth, however, is that companies have been the most effective at finding ways to do more with less, reducing the number of resources we use and improving environmental sustainability.

UW Ranks 4th in the Nation In A Phony Green Credential. Go Huskies?

August 24, 2012 in Blog

As a Husky, I should be glad when anyone these days ranks the University of Washington 4th in the nation in anything. I would, however, prefer it if the ranking was actually legitimate.

In the Sierra Club's ranking of the top 10 green schools, or "Cool Schools," it ranks the U Dub at number four. They note the "UW pays compulsive attention to buying local: More than half of the school's food is produced within 250 miles of campus." There's only one problem: this might actually do more harm to the planet than good.

Green Games with Asthma Distract from Real Solutions

August 23, 2012 in Blog

The Seattle Times recently ran an excellent piece on an effort to prevent asthma in children and reduce attacks for those already living with asthma. The article, "Program uses home visits to help asthmatic kids breathe easier," highlights efforts to reduce the incidence of asthma among children by reducing the risk factors in homes. The article tells the story of one boy whose symptoms have disappeared...