Environment, Energy, and the Economy

I love natural beauty and want to protect the environment. I also have seen the benefits of economic growth for people, both poor and rich. I often struggle with conflicting priorities between the environment, energy, and economic growth. Thomas Friedman's column, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/opinion/12friedman.html, describes policies and regulations in Costa Rica that compliment the environment and the economy.