14 DAY TRIAL // Just yesterday, during an event suggestively entitled “The Foundations of a Blue Economy,” the Center for American Progress (CAP) made a case of how important oceans are for the US economy and pinned down ways of making better use of this natural resource.
Apparently, for the time being, most citizens are simply unaware of how protecting the oceans can result in financial advantages.
High officials and representatives of various industries also took part in the discussions, the end goal being to establish how healthy oceanic waters and other major aquatic ecosystems such as the Great Lakes can create jobs and boost the national economy.
As the Center for American Progress explains, there are four major sides to this “Blue Economy.”
First of all, there is the fishing industry, be it commercial or recreational.
Recent reports indicate that this particular activity – and those directly related to it – generates about $183 billion each year (about €146 billion), and provides the population with more than 1.5 million job opportunities.
Secondly, there is tourism. A study indicates that in 2007 alone, US coastal areas supported nearly 11 million jobs that amounted to a total of $214 billion (€171 billion) in wages.
As well as this, the need to form organizations specializing in protecting coastal areas will also translate in new jobs being created.
Last, but not least, there is the possibility of using oceanic waters as a renewable energy source.
It comes only natural that the development of this green industry will also contribute to the well-being of the country's national economy.
All in all, it seems that the Center for American Progress is right in claiming that environmental protection is not just about public health and the well-being of the natural world, but also about financial advantages for those who have access to this resource.
The complete “Blue Economy” study is available on their website.