Don’t Forget History I am a long-time subscriber to PERC Reports and enjoy reading each issue. But I object to the premise implied in “Betting on the Wealth of Nature” by David McClintick and Ross Emmett (September 2005) regarding natural resource prices and availability. The Simon-Ehrlich wager was based on metals that have long beenContinue reading “Letters to the Editor”
Author Archives: admin
Restoring Life to Damaged Land
In the central Nevada desert, near the tiny almost-ghost town of Mina, lives a couple who are the most effective restorers of ecosystems I have found in more than twenty years of searching. Over the past few years I have been trying to figure out why so few people know about them. Tony and JerrieContinue reading “Restoring Life to Damaged Land”
Irresponsible Environmental Policy
Although Congress enacts all federal environmental statutes, these statutes leave the making of most federal environmental laws –commonly known as regulations– to the Environmental Protection Agency. The difference between Congress making laws (as the U.S. Constitution instructs it to do) and leaving that job to the EPA is a critical one. If Congress votedContinue reading “Irresponsible Environmental Policy”
Advertising for Clean Water
By Carol Ferrie Every year, corporations spend about $150 billion on advertising, says Paul Polizzotto, but very little of it goes to improve quality of life. Polizzotto — surfer, businessman, and environmentalist– has figured out a way to harness some of those advertising dollars through the Adopt-A-Waterway program. "You don’t have to take the oathContinue reading “Advertising for Clean Water”
Wreaking Environmental Harm
While many farmers are conscientious stewards of the environment, the incentives of U.S. agricultural policies can lead to practices that damage the environment. Agricultural price supports and trade barriers stimulate production on marginal land, leading to overuse of pesticides, fertilizers, and other effluents. A central if unstated purpose of U.S. farm policy is toContinue reading “Wreaking Environmental Harm”
The Shifting Roles of NGOs
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) used to be gadflies and outsiders challenging businesses and governments (think Greenpeace and Public Citizen, for example). Today, however, NGOs are moving in new directions. Some, for example, are acting increasingly like government agencies, issuing a new generation of de facto regulations in the form of standards, guidelines, and certifications. OthersContinue reading “The Shifting Roles of NGOs”
Chili Power
African elephants are not only majestic animals, but also cropraiding nuisances, endangering human lives and livelihoods. Conservation groups have determined that in order to protect elephants it is necessary to protect the people who are sharing the land with them. It is a complex situation that in some areas has been solved by the simpleContinue reading “Chili Power”
Free Market Environmentalism Is a Win-Win for Everyone
When Donald Leal and I wrote our book, Free Market Environmentalism, in 1991, a reviewer said “the title is an oxymoron and the authors are the moron part.” At the time, nearly everyone considered markets the enemy of the environment. But as Bob Dylan put it, “the times they are a-changing.” In the past decadeContinue reading “Free Market Environmentalism Is a Win-Win for Everyone”
PERC’s Don Leal Appointed to IFQ Advisory Panel
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has appointed PERC Senior Fellow Don Leal to serve on an Ad Hoc Grouper Individual Fishing Quota Advisory Panel. Leal is one of two NGO representatives with Pam Baker of Environmental Defense filling the second position. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regionalContinue reading “PERC’s Don Leal Appointed to IFQ Advisory Panel”
Roundtable Discussion of Montana’s Stream Access
September 19, 2005 Hosted by PERC On September 19th PERC hosted a roundtable discussion on the issue of stream access in Montana. Twenty three discussants and 6 observers participated in Bozeman. A wide spectrum of interests was represented, from traditional and new (out-of-state) landowners to public access advocates. The Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department participated,Continue reading “Roundtable Discussion of Montana’s Stream Access”