Christine Todd Whitman, Elon’s second Isabella Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership, discussed the political roadblocks that prevent a consensus on environmental policy during the first of two public lectures Tuesday, March 1 in McCrary Theatre. Details...
Whitman served as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 2001-2003, following eight years as New Jersey’s first female governor. At the EPA, Whitman said she quickly learned about the passionate feelings on both sides of the environmental protection debate.
“I’ve heard from both sides,” Whitman said. “I’ve found that the truth is somewhere in the middle.”
Some companies feel they bear tremendous regulatory burdens because of environmental protection groups, while some environmentalists believe big business is always bad for the land, air and water. Whitman believes good business and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive.
“Protecting our environment and growing our economy is not a zero-sum game,” Whitman said. “Environmental stewardship can be a good business decision. Asking people to choose between the two is a false choice.” Since environmental regulations were first put in place in the early 1970s, Whitman says the economy and environment have both improved.
“The cost of environmental improvement didn’t cripple the economy. The land is better protected, the air is cleaner and the water is purer.”
As New Jersey governor, Whitman built a solid record of improving the state’s environment, reducing beach closings due to pollution and implementing a program that will preserve 40 percent of the state’s land by 2010. She said President George W. Bush also has a strong environmental record, but political strategy decisions have downplayed those successes.
“I’m sure you all have heard about the effort by the Republican party to reach those 4 million evangelicals,” Whitman said, in reference to a key Republican constituency in the 2004 presidential election. “They don’t like government very much and they hate regulations.” As a result, and because of polling data which shows the environment is not a top priority among that group, Republican strategists largely ignored Bush’s first term environmental successes.
“The environment was not one of the top issues in the last election,” Whitman said. “I was disappointed but not surprised. Only once during the campaign was the question raised, and it took a citizen question (at a ‘town hall’ format meeting) to bring up the issue.”
Whitman believes there is a large segment of the population that cares about the environment, and their voices are being heard at the ballot box.
“In 22 states last November, 75 percent of voters approved legislation to preserve open space,” Whitman said. “Nine out of 10 potential home buyers have said that shortening their commute to work was important.”
She also sees an important shift in business and industry about environmental protection. “Unlike the early days, an environmental ethos is taking place in the business community. They have come to recognize that what’s good for the environment is good for the bottom line.”
Whitman will host a question-and-answer session for students at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 2 in Whitley Auditorium. Her second public lecture, titled “Leadership: A Commonsense Approach,” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3 in McCrary Theatre.