Georgians should reconsider the prevailing tendency to promote unbridled growth, now dominant in much state and federal policy.
Conventional wisdom assumes that economic growth and development inherently benefit the communities affected. Yet, recent controversies over major development projects – including datacenters and massive industrial projects – suggest otherwise.
At the Center for a Sustainable Coast, we advise a more responsible approach to implementing development policies, applying science and what is known as the Precautionary Principle.
The precautionary principle holds that if an action or policy has potential risk of harming public health and/or the environment, rigorous protective measures should be taken, even if scientific proof is not fully established. When risks are uncertain but deemed substantial, instead of waiting until public harm has occurred, our policies must intervene to prevent it.
Basic groundrules:
· Better safe than sorry: Adopt controls or legal prohibitions to prevent damage before it occurs.
· Burden of Proof: Promoters must prove projects are safe rather than those at risk having to prove harm.
· Doubt cannot be ignored: A lack of clear scientific proof does not mean serious risks can be neglected.
· Preemptive protections: Block actions that pose threats, whether short-term or long-term.
· If risks are unacceptable, find safer alternatives or simply reject the proposal.
· Mandatory public participation: Ensure that the public substantially influences risk assessment.
· Protect life-support systems: Prohibit using new development or technology until conclusive testing is available.
· Accountable safeguards: Ban unacceptably risky products, development methods, or technology until they are proven safe.