... the silver lining of the economic crisis?

...

The new year (also) begins with hand-wringing about the economic crisis, and how it and the low price of oil are bad for investment into alternative energy. Others are moaning that China’s market for recycled paper has plummeted. But are we not forgetting that 2009 will see huge environmental dividends from our new, enforced austerity?

Everyone has suddenly stopped spending and started saving. And while this is bad for the economy, as consumption declines so too do the energy and environmental costs attached with that consumption. Companies are folding, people are being fired, and shops are closing. People are buying less, travelling less, and wasting less food. Attached to all these activities are CO2 emissions that will no longer happen and reduced use of land for supplying food, fuel and clothing. ...

Keep reading the remainder of this unusual opinion in The Economist's review, entitiled Good and Bad Green Resolutions.