As a person who has spent much of his life working for social reform, especially in the environmental arena, I am an inveterate student of the political process. Though a proud Fellow of Edward Renwick’s Institute of Politics, I do not pretend to be an expert. But I understand the power of politics, and the dire consequences of an inattentive electorate.

We are about to elect a new governor. The only thing that is certain today is that we will make history by electing either our first female or our first East Indian. As an enviroeconomist (a person who believes fervently in the positive relationship between a clean environment and a healthy economy), I have been dismayed with our candidates.

In the primary, a coalition of environmental groups (including our Center for Environmental Communications, of which I am chairman) generated a thoughtful list of questions that was sent to the hordes of candidates for governor. Only two (neither of the survivors) bothered to respond.

In the runoff, the coalition dutifully set a date for a public environmental forum, sent the questionnaire to the candidates, and waited for an answer. The silence was deafening – and disheartening.

Louisiana is the most environmentally challenged state in the union. It has a strong resource-based economy, being among our nation’s leading producers of oil gas and petrochemicals. These products offer many opportunities, but they traditionally present their host with burdens such as unclean air, water-borne contaminants and potential for leaks and explosions.

A check of Kathleen Blanco’s and Bobby Jindal’s Web sites reveal that neither are touting environmental stewardship. The latter has a plank on coastal restoration, but it parrots the popular mantra with no signal of leadership. Blanco is silent.

In an Oct. 26 story in The Times-Picayune, the lack of environmental planning was evident. When asked how they follow environmental issues, Jindal said that he speaks with a “broad range of people, including environmental activists and others.” Blanco said she networks with a circle of friends who consider themselves environmentally informed.

Asked what they will do about Baton Rouge’s non-attainment status for air quality, Blanco said she intends to appoint a panel of experts to study the situation, and Jindal said he believes that an impending monitoring program will lead to solutions. He further favors emission-trading credits, a program that Blanco sees as a distraction and expansion of regulatory programs.

They agree that Louisiana has an adequate regulatory program in place – and I agree as well. The issue is that it is not consistently enforced, to the detriment of the public’s protection and industry’s efficiency.

The jury is still out on Louisiana’s environmental future under its new governor.

I dream of a governor with an ability to forecast environmental needs, an understanding that a clean environment begets a healthy economy, and the courage to make politically unpopular decisions that protect the health and well-being of citizens. I’m looking for a leader who understands the profound impact of coastal wetlands loss on the future of Louisiana, who knows that a strong independent leader at Lousiana Department of Environmental Quality will contribute to economic health, and recognizes that environmental progress is a strong indicator of a state heading in the right direction.

Environment aside, I want to see a governor who enters office with a checklist of vital needs that will take our state well above the seemingly valued “Southern Average.”

I want to see the following scenario play out: A group of constituents visits the governor a few months after the election. A spokesperson says, “Governor, you know that our parish’s citizens supported you, and you said you would consider a new courthouse.” The governor reaches into her/his desk drawer, pulls out a note pad, scans it and says, “I appreciate your support and its political importance. However, a new courthouse is not on my list of priorities for making Louisiana a better place for our citizens, so I must decline. Won’t you help me attain my goals?”

Call me Pollyana, but I dream of a time when our leadership simply doesn’t tolerate discussion of the state jelly. I pray for leadership that focuses on the vital needs of our state, and that must certainly include environmental reform.

As long as environmental protection is viewed as a marginal domain, little will happen.

Aldo Leopold said, “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Here’s hoping that our next governor will read Aldo Leopold. I have a copy of “Sand County Amanac” ready to mail.

~ Bob Thomas is the Chair of Environmental Communications