A while back I was complaining about how public opinion polls fail to connect the dots between issues (and solutions) that are clearly related: energy, economy, jobs, environment. The result of this artificial separation is most often that the environment is counted as a low priority.

But more and more, the separation rings false—and the prioritization fails to make sense either. Energy policy is environmental policy.

That’s why I was glad to see The New York Times (among the heavies when it comes to setting the agenda for the news media and public discourse) roll out a new section: Energy and Environment.

The new Energy & Environment section just launched with comprehensive news, analysis and insights. Refer to new topic guides on biofuels, coal, wind energy and more. Also, watch a new series of videos tracking the progress of making a 60-year-old home more energy efficient.

AND…it’s in the Business section!

It’s like a big splashy marriage announcement. If the NYT is connecting the dots in this formal, highly-visible way, it’s a good sign of a shifting zeitgeist. (I know it’s uncool to say zeitgeist these days…sorry.) Even better, when the dots are connected—by the public as well as elected officials—policy that works on multiple levels is more likely to follow.