Hewlett Foundation Official Seen as Major Player in Environmental Efforts

Hal Harvey is perhaps the most influential environmentalist in the United States, an international player and a bridge between activists and corporations, reports The Wall Street Journal in a profile of Mr. Harvey’s activities.

Mr. Harvey oversees environmental grant making at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which gives away $60-million a year. He is known for pragmatic—some say industry-friendly—efforts.

He has promoted the spread of hybrid cars, which use both gasoline and electricity, over strictly electric cars. He has also pushed for a carbon dioxide “cap and trade” market, in which corporations trade shares in the amount of greenhouse gases they release.

Above all, Mr. Harvey says environmentalists should focus less on moral opposition to pollution and global warming and more on developing politically palatable solutions.

Despite the complexities of debates on the environment, Mr. Harvey’s outlook is simple: “Two things matter: coal and cars. Two countries matter: China and the U.S. In that little matrix, there’s only a handful of policies that are going to make any damn difference.”

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