Climate change and economic development are frequently seen as conflicting priorities, yet a growing body of research suggests that strong climate initiatives can simultaneously safeguard the environment and stimulate job creation, innovation, and long-term financial stability. In West Virginia, where industries like coal and natural resources have historically shaped the regional economy, policymakers are starting to adapt—albeit with varying degrees of commitment and gaps that remain unaddressed. This article examines how proactive environmental policies can support broader economic advancement.
Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and battery storage involves significant investment in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and supporting infrastructure. These sectors are inherently labor-intensive and tend to generate employment opportunities within local communities. Upgrading the electrical grid, expanding transmission networks, and building resilient systems often direct funding into rural and underserved regions, helping to distribute economic gains more evenly. As clean power becomes more affordable, households and enterprises benefit from reduced utility expenses, allowing them to redirect savings into other areas of consumption and investment.
Energy efficiency measures—including improved building standards, advanced appliances, and optimized industrial operations—help minimize waste and lower operational costs for businesses. Reduced spending on wasted energy means more capital can be allocated toward growth, innovation, or workforce development. Furthermore, infrastructure that is less vulnerable to extreme weather events and temperature-related inefficiencies enhances overall productivity and service continuity.
Cutting pollution and greenhouse gas emissions yields additional advantages: lower public health expenditures linked to poor air quality, fewer workdays lost to illness, and reduced damage from floods and severe storms. By avoiding or minimizing these costs, both governments and private entities can shift resources from emergency response and recovery to strategic investment. Long-term climate threats—such as rising sea levels, prolonged heatwaves, and disruptions to supply chains—pose serious risks to economic stability; taking action today helps mitigate future financial losses.
Businesses at the forefront of clean technology, renewable energy, adaptive infrastructure, and sustainable farming practices are well-positioned to serve an expanding global market. Early movers supported by favorable regulations can foster regional hubs of expertise, attract research funding, and encourage private-sector engagement. Conversely, areas that delay risk falling behind, as corporations increasingly favor locations with transparent environmental policies, low-carbon energy supplies, and predictable regulatory environments.
With the exception of previous administrations, stronger climate commitments have opened access to federal grants, international funding, and private capital. For instance, organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have found that more aggressive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can lead to higher GDP growth by aligning climate action with economic development objectives. Clear and consistent policy frameworks—including defined targets, financial incentives, and regulatory clarity—reduce investor uncertainty and lower financing costs, making large-scale green projects more feasible.
The prior administration undermined emerging sectors, including electric vehicle startups and offshore wind projects, while promoting fossil fuel expansion. Recently, it was announced that the Department of the Interior would make 13.1 million acres of public land available for coal leasing at discounted royalty rates, alongside allocating $625 million for upgrades to coal-fired power plants. Despite the significance, this development received minimal media attention. The former president’s dismissal of climate science echoes a sentiment expressed by Amanda Hocking: “A foolish man thinks he knows everything. A wise man knows he doesn’t.”
To assume one’s understanding surpasses that of 99.9% of climate scientists is to deny the nation potential economic gains and improved living standards that a clean energy transition could deliver. Moreover, by hesitating, the U.S. is allowing other nations—particularly China—to seize leadership in this transformative economic shift, effectively moving backward while the world advances.
Nonetheless, progress does not depend solely on federal action. Individuals and communities can take meaningful steps to support sustainable energy development. Voting matters, but so does personal financial influence—such as choosing banks that prioritize responsible investments. Resources like bank.green can help identify institutions aligned with environmental values. For those with investment portfolios, firms specializing in sustainable or impact investing offer alternatives. Simple lifestyle changes, home efficiency improvements, and conscious consumption also contribute. The range of available actions is broad and impactful.
— news from News and Sentinel
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Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Corner: The economics of climate change
Climate change and economic growth are often thought of as opposing forces, but there is growing evidence that ambitious climate action can not only protect the environment but also be a powerful engine for jobs, investment, innovation, and overall economic resilience. In West Virginia, where energy, coal, and natural resources have long defined the economy, state legislators are beginning to respond – though with a mix of ambition, caution, and areas still to be filled in. Below is an exploration of how climate action supports economic growth.
Moving toward renewable energy sources – solar, wind, hydro, energy storage – requires manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and related infrastructure. These are labor-intensive sectors that create jobs locally. Investment in grid modernization, transmission, and resilient infrastructure also tends to flow into rural and often neglected areas, spreading economic benefits. Moreover, as clean energy costs fall, consumers and businesses benefit from lower energy bills, freeing up spending and redirecting capital into other parts of the economy.
Policies that support energy efficiency – better building codes, efficient appliances, industrial process optimization – reduce waste and lower the cost of doing business. Less spending on energy that’s wasted means more can be invested elsewhere. Additionally, more reliable infrastructure (less downtime from storms, less heat-driven inefficiency) boosts productivity.
By reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, climate action delivers co-benefits: fewer health care costs from air pollution, fewer lost workdays, less damage from extreme weather and flooding. Avoiding or mitigating these costs can free up government and private capital to invest rather than repair, restore, or respond to disasters. Long-term climate risks – sea-level rise, heat waves, supply chain instability – also threaten economic stability; acting now reduces those future losses.
Companies that lead in clean technologies, renewables, resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, etc., can develop products and services for a growing global market. Early adoption and supportive policies can help create local clusters of expertise, attract research and development, and draw in private investment. Regions that lag can lose out as companies increasingly prefer jurisdictions with clearer climate/regulatory policies, cleaner energy sources, and lower carbon risk.
Current administration excepted, enhanced climate commitments open doors to federal funding, grants, and private investment. For, example multilateral agencies like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have reported that more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) offer a path to higher GDP, as economic growth is unlocked through aligning climate and development goals. Certainty in policy (clear targets, incentives, rules) reduces risk for investors and lowers cost of capital, making large-scale clean projects more viable.
The Trump administration has destroyed many entrepreneur’s dreams, such as new electric vehicle start-ups, and has disabled huge corporate investments in projects such as offshore wind energy. Simultaneously, the current administration is propping up fossil fuel energy production. Just announced this week, the current administration announced that the Department of the Interior will open 13.1 million acres of federal land to coal leasing at reduced royalty rates and provide $625 million for coal fired power plant upgrades. With everything going on this week this hasn’t even made the news. President Trump’s denial of the effects of climate change reminds me of a quote “A foolish man thinks he knows everything. A wise man knows he doesn’t.” – Amanda Hocking
To think that he knows more than 99.9% of the scientific community is going to deny this country the economic boost and quality of life that could come from embracing an economy based on clean energy. We are also ceding this economic vitality to other countries especially China and are basically stepping back in time.
But all is not lost, we need not rely on the Federal government to prop up our efforts, there are many things that we can do to encourage and support clean energy development. Certainly how we vote is crucial, but in the meantime we can use the power of our purse to influence action by doing things like looking into who you bank with and how they invest and selecting a bank that invests more responsibly, go to bank.green to find out. If you are fortunate enough to have investments, there are investment firms that focus on environmentally sustainable investing. Of course, there are many things you can do to conserve energy in your everyday life and with improvements to your home. This is just a smattering of the things you can do, the list is long.
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Vic Elam is an avid outdoorsman and contributor to organizations that share his concern for our environment, including Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action.