Habitat saved and jobs created : USAID, the United States and the global environment

Central to USAID"s environmental strategy is the belief that the self-interest of the United States lies not only in protecting our domestic environment, but also in assisting other nations to protect their environments. The present study briefly examines the benefits to the United States of environmental protection abroad, with particular emphasis on quantifiable benefits. The benefits to the United States from environmental protection abroad are political, economic, and social. The synergy between economic growth and the environment is of particular importance to sustainable development; overemphasis on short-term economic growth can be detrimental to natural resources. Therefore, it is necessary to seek a balance between sustained use of resources and economic development. Without economic growth, developing nations lack the financial resources needed to work toward environmental protection. However, lack of progress toward preservation of existing resources results in economic growth that is unsustainable over the long-term. After all, the exploitation of natural resources is the foundation for much economic activity. Yet uncontrolled economic growth in developing countries is considered a main cause of environmental degradation. USAID programs that seek to balance environmental and economic concerns help provide a foundation for sustainable economic expansion in the developing world. Domestically, the United States benefits from these efforts through an expansion of export markets and increased demand for U.S. manufactured goods associated with such growth. USAID"s environmental strategy recognizes the inherent danger to the United States of environmental degradation and is working to diminish this threat. The intangible benefits derived from preserving the environment for present and future generations are important, but so too are the direct dividends resulting from USAID"s work in the environment. (Author abstract, modified)