July 25, 2008
How Much For That Ecosystem In The Soggy NW Corner?
The bountiful ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest is worth between $243 billion and $1.22.1 trillion, economic and environmentalist researchers announced late last night. Phew! Numbers are far easier to work with than poetic sentiments about our "introverted, feral, buddhistically cool" raindrops (Tom Robbins), "unruly mobs of young clouds" and "green stand of mountains" (Ken Kesey), or Chief Sealth's sacred, inter-connected vision of "every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods."
As long as we're talking honest-to-God numbers, we might at least put the $1.2 trillion into context. For perspective, the U.S. national debt as of today is around $9.5 trillion, so if we were to sell the PNW (to China, probably) eight times over, we could pay off that pesky debt. Forbes has Bill Gates pegged at a net worth of $58 billion, so unfortunately it looks like he won't be able to buy the region back from China any time soon.
Thoughts? Comments? Aren't numbers a much better way to look at this whole situation? (To be fair, the P-I article gives some very solid reasons why this study will be helpful.)
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That's a pretty big friggin' range.
I rather like the point of the study, to illustrate that it's not an environment versus economy (Kyoto will stem our growth... HA! Perhaps idiots will do that instead). It hopes to illustrate the interconnectedness. Sweet.
Also, it could be as much as two point one (2.1) trillion, not 1.2. Even better!
I also think this study should shut the east side up and their "Seattle-centric" whining. We have the ports, we have the draw, we have the economy. Without us, they have nothing.
And before someone chimes in with "Agriculture!", Western Washington produces just 20% less produce in general than Eastern Washington, according to the agricultural census. Looking at those figures, we'd be fine if you want to elect Rossi to manage your half of the state, but we won't be giving you any more dollars.
Good Luck!
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Thanks for the correction, Mr Morris! My fingers and brain don't communicate as well as I would like them to at times