Protect the environment, or advance the economy? For years, it seems people have thought they had to choose one or the other. But a recent poll suggests that may no longer be the case.

A new Harris Poll study conducted in January finds about half of those polled say environmental and economic goals can work hand in hand. Just one-third say that a person must choose between the two.

Despite current economic conditions, 46 percent of Americans say preserving the environment is more important to them personally than a few years ago. And they are doing something about it. Forty-five percent of respondents say they are making more effort to be environmentally conscious than they were a year ago, while just over half say they are making the same amount of effort.

Two-thirds of Americans believe governments should be making more of an environmental effort than they did last year. The Obama administration is doing just that.

The stimulus package aims to create more green jobs around the country and expand the clean tech sector. By going green Americans are on track to help the economy produce more green.