Economists Ask Obama to Protect Public Lands in West
A group of 100 economists and other academics wrote a letter to President Obama today urging him to invest in public lands infrastructure and establish new protected parks, wilderness and monuments as a way to create jobs and support businesses.
The letter focused primarily on public lands in the West, saying that they contribute to economic growth there through resource extraction and recreation. Public lands, the academics wrote, attract new businesses and strengthen communities.
"Increasingly, entrepreneurs are basing their business location decisions on the quality of life in an area," the letter states. "Businesses are recruiting talented employees by promoting access to beautiful, nearby public lands. ... America's public lands can be used responsibly while expanding protections for the nation's world-class natural amenities."
The signers included three Nobel laureates: Joseph Stiglitz, Kenneth Arrow and Robert Solow.
The letter focused primarily on public lands in the West, saying that they contribute to economic growth there through resource extraction and recreation. Public lands, the academics wrote, attract new businesses and strengthen communities.
"Increasingly, entrepreneurs are basing their business location decisions on the quality of life in an area," the letter states. "Businesses are recruiting talented employees by promoting access to beautiful, nearby public lands. ... America's public lands can be used responsibly while expanding protections for the nation's world-class natural amenities."
The signers included three Nobel laureates: Joseph Stiglitz, Kenneth Arrow and Robert Solow.
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