Dr. Steven Hayward

Economic Growth Is Key to Environmental Quality

June 28, 2001 Viewpoint on Public Issues

One of America's most enduring popular legends is that the environment is deteriorating and that economic growth is largely responsible. The facts suggest just the opposite.

Environmental Quality 2000: Michigan and America at the 30th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 4, 2000 Study

Public opinion about the environment is often marked by unwarranted pessimism about the state of our air, water, and natural resources. But the most recent government data show that America in general, and Michigan in particular, have seen impressive gains in environmental quality since the first Earth Day 30 years ago. This report presents decades of facts and figures on Michigan and U.S. air and water quality, land use, and other environmental factors to show that, far from worsening, environmental conditions have actually improved substantially-and are likely to continue improving.

Mackinac Center Adjunct Scholar Steven Hayward is director of the center for environmental and regulatory reform at the Pacific Research Institute in San Francisco. He holds a Ph.D. in American studies and an M.A. in government from Claremont Graduate School. Hayward writes frequently on a wide range of current topics including environmentalism, law, economics, and public policy. His commentaries have appeared in National Review, Reason Magazine, Policy Review, the Intercollegiate Review, and dozens of daily newspapers including The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Orange County Register.