| Things to think about
Increases in productivity
can, in some cases, concentrate the jobs of many workers into
a single well-paying job.
The more that we are able to produce,
the more important it becomes that we make careful choices about
which products we make and about how cleanly and safely we make
them. Otherwise, our high productivity can work against our
environmental goals. |
Importance
Higher
productivity means getting more output from the same amount
of work. It can let us enjoy more fruits from the same amount
of labor, and to live better, with more time to spend with our
families and for recreation. Productivity has increased during
most of the last 20 years.
Economic
Rising
productivity is key to a healthy business sector in New Jersey.
It increases profits and keeps companies
competitive in global markets. It can also lead to higher wages
and living standards for New Jersey’s workers - although many
people feel that they still work as long and hard as ever.
Environmental
A
measure of productivity that currently is not available would
be how much we can produce from the materials
that we use. As our "environmental productivity" rises, we can
put less of a burden on natural resources while producing just
as much. This is one of the most powerful ways we have to protect
nature.
Social
Through
higher productivity, we can win the opportunity to live well
materially while still having time to spend with our families
and communities. Doing so could strengthen the social condition
of our state. Not all people get this opportunity or make this
choice – but high productivity presents the possibility.
Knowledge
Gaps
This
measure considers only how much we produce, but not what we
produce or whether we cause harm when we produce it. It doesn’t
consider, for example, increases in pollution that come with
increased production or increases in the energy or natural resources
consumed. A better measure would adjust for those costs and
would account for the fact that not all productivity gains are
beneficial.
Note:
See the Technical Appendix for information on use of a different
data source than the source used in the 1999 Sustainable State
Project Report.
Data
Sources: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis,
and NJ Department of Labor |
