Environmental Conflict

James R. Rinehart, Jeffrey J. Pompe

Description

This straightforward translation of environmental economics discusses issues and concerns that have long-lasting and often substantial effects. The authors bridge the gap between the natural and social sciences by examining how economic decisions interact with the environment. In addition, they explain why economics plays an important role in clarifying environmental issues and formulating solutions. Environmental Conflict analyzes policy choices and provides a basic methodology for understanding a broad range of environmental topics. These include the tragedy of the commons, the importance of incentives and markets, the role of government, property rights, benefit-cost analysis, natural resource use, pollution control, economic growth, international trade, global warming, and biodiversity loss.
Acknowledgments

1. Introduction: More than You Know

2. Unfortunately, the Best Things in Life Aren't Free: How Economists Think

3. T'aint What You Do (It's the Way that Cha Do It): Why Do We Spoil the Environment?

4. Who Will Buy?: Weighing the Value of Environmental Goods

5. Lovely to Look At, Delightful to Know: Preserving Our Natural Resources

6. Where Be the Dragons?: The Loss of Biodiversity

7. I Get Along without You Very Well: Solving Pollution Problems

8. How High the Sky: Acid Rain, Ozone Depletion, and Global Warming

9. AWorrisome Thing: The Environment and Economic Growth

10. Conclusion: I'm Beginning to See the Light

Notes

Bibliography and Selected Readings

Index

Sujets

• Sustainability

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791488201
• Langue: English

Extrait

E NVIRONMENTAL C ONFLICT

This page intentionally left blank.

E NVIRONMENTAL C ONFLICT

In Search of Common Ground

Jeffrey J. Pompe and James R. Rinehart

S U N Y P TATE NIVERSITY OF EW ORK RESS

Published by State University of New York Press © 2002 State University of New York

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. Cover art courtesy of Kathleen Pompe. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207

Production by Diane Ganeles Marketing by Jennifer Giovani Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Pompe, Jeffrey, 1951– Environmental conflict : in search of common ground / Jeffrey Pompe and James Rinehart. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-7914-5455-X (alk. paper)—ISBN 0-7914-5456-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Environmental policy—Economic aspects. 2. Environmental protection—Economic aspects. I. Rinehart, James R. II. Title. GE170.P66 2002 333.7'2—dc21 2001049806

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

To our spouses, Kathy and Elaine, who not only provided moral and material support, but as artists appreciate the beauty of our environment and the necessity of preserving it.

This page intentionally left blank.

Acknowledgments

Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction: More than You Know

Chapter 2. Unfortunately, the Best Things in Life Aren’t Free: How Economists Think

Chapter 3. T’aint What You Do (It’s the Way that Cha Do It): Why Do We Spoil the Environment?

Chapter 4. Who Will Buy?: Weighing the Value of Environmental Goods

Chapter 5. Lovely to Look At, Delightful to Know: Preserving Our Natural Resources

Chapter 6. Where Be the Dragons?: The Loss of Biodiversity

Chapter 7. I Get Along without You Very Well: Solving Pollution Problems

Chapter 8. How High the Sky: Acid Rain, Ozone Depletion, and Global Warming

Chapter 9. A Worrisome Thing: and Economic Growth

vii

The Environment

ix

1

15

35

53

67

83

95

119

131

viii

Chapter 10. Conclusion: the Light

Notes

Contents

I’m Beginning to See

Bibliography and Selected Readings

Index

143

153

161

169

Acknowledgments

As any author knows, writing a book is a laborious and sometimes agonizing process that depends heavily on the input of others. We have acknowledged in the appropriate places in our book, through citations and references, those who provided previously published materials. In addition, there are also those who have lent us more personal assis- tance. We wish to thank Travis Knowles, Bill Laird, and Barry O’Brien for critically examining various portions of our book at different stages of development. An enthusiastic thank you to Matt Bonds who did extensive research and shared insights far beyond the call of duty. Comments from an environmental honors class at Francis Marion Univer- sity in which Barry O’Brien and Travis Knowles used an earlier draft of this book were very helpful. We would also like to thank the Francis Marion University administration for financial support and providing an environment that en- courages reflection, discussion, and scholarship. We appreciated the expert help of the people at the State University of New York Press, especially Diane Ganeles and Ron Helfrich who helped move the project along. Marian Stokes and Jessica Terrana offered timely help with preparation of the index and text.

ix