95 



search Associates found that America's youth are among the most environmentally 

 conscious and concerned segment of our population. 



^ We now understand that we live in an enormously complex global ecosystem: 

 "solving" one environmental problem can create a new one. Clean-up of surface 

 water has contaminated ground water and solutions to ground pollution have pollut- 

 ed the air. Actions taken by one country can affect the health of the citizens of an- 

 other, thousands of miles away, and for generations to come. We also know that as- 

 sessment of environmental achievement is a relative measure: our "successes" are 

 meaningful only in terms of reducing overall risk. We have learned that we must 

 not limit ourselves to clean-up, but must also seek to prevent pollution at the 

 source. We must adopt a comprehensive and understanding approach that avoids 

 unintended consequences of our actions and decisions. We must force ourselves to 

 address long-term and riot just short-term consequences. 



The 80's have shown us that environmental action or inaction has economic con- 

 sequences, in turn affecting our environmental and business choices in a never 

 ending cycle of cause-and-effect. Environmental opportunities can be economic op- 

 portunities. Money spent by companies to comply with environmental laws and reg- 

 ulations translates into revenues and jobs for other American businesses. For exam- 

 ple, the Clean Air Act Amendments are the latest example of how Congressional 

 and EPA action can drive major economic growth in the pollution control sector. 



This Administration is committed to identifying the dynamic relationship be- 

 tween economic and environmental needs and to ensuring that environmental 

 assets are reflected in our accounting of national well-being. Environmental protec- 

 tion and economic growth are not incompatible. The Roper Oiiganization's 1992 

 Green Guage Poll showed that a strong majority (63%) of Americans believe eco- 

 nomic development and environmental protection go hand in hand. 



EPA is evolving as an institution grappling with today's challenges, but the EPA 

 created by Reorganization Plan Number 3 in 1970 is positioned now to function as 

 more than a regulatory agency. This Administration embraces successful new ap- 

 proaches and the essential dynamic of environmental msmagement handled in part- 

 nership acrc^s Department and governmental lines. An environment Department 

 must work closely with both its Cabinet counterparts and its state, local, tribal, and 

 other government partners, and remain responsive to the individual citizen. We 

 must rely carefully on sound science and research to better understand environmen- 

 tal issues such as biodiversity, global climate change, environmental equity, risk, 

 and persistent toxic chemicals, and to better develop policy and solutions. An envi- 

 ronment Department must be a model environmental steward both domestically 

 and internationally. The Department must also serve as a model for responsible 

 fiscal practices and responsive, accountable management. Financial integrity and 

 sound contract management are critical to fulfilling our environmental mission and 

 to safeguarding the taxpayer's dollar. 



Environmental protection is not a mere footnote, but encompasses all of the 

 Earth's resources and human activity. It is front-page, banner-headline news woven 

 throughout newspap>ers, scientific and medical journals, and business and law publi- 

 cations. It shapes our deiily thinking, strategies, and budgets in every conceivable 

 issue area. We are moving beyond thinking of environmental quality as a luxury or 

 as a hindrance to economic growth. The growth of our economy depends on the 

 availability of a clean, safe environment and the long-term availability of natural 

 resources. We can best join the need for balancing growth and the environment by 

 imleashing American ingenuity and creativity to revive our economy and create a 

 new generation of environmental technology — which will make us more competitive 

 in a fast-growing international marketplace. 



Both our national environmental ethic and the nature of the ecosystem itself tell 

 us that the President's Cabinet currently is incomplete. In today's world a success- 

 ful strategy for any public policy issue requires a holistic perspective that crosses 

 traditionsd Department boundaries. There is virtually no such thing as a policy or 

 problem that does not have environmental eispects or that is simply "environmen- 

 tal." A sound approach to the environment is essential to the success and sustain- 

 ability of our Nation's economic, social, and trade policies. The President's Cabinet 

 must be able to function as a collaborative and interdependent mechanism, integrat- 

 ing the best public policy thinking across Department lines. It is not enough that 

 environmental considerations be part of Cabinet discussions: the environment must 

 be there in its own right as an equal priority and member. 



Our experience over the last few weeks in fashioning the President's economic 

 plan is illustrative of the role that environmental considerations should play in our 

 Federal decisionmaking process. As the numerous options for energy taxes were ex- 



