29Nov07 Can Private Industry Protect the environment?
By: UNR Student For Liberty

While I trust the libertarian philosophy of privatize most everything, sometimes I worry about certian externalities which the market fails to account for. Nature reserves are a perfect example. We discussed the role of the Federal Government as a protector of the National Parks (like Yosemite and Tahoe and Toyabe).

This article would lead us to believe that private investors can protect land:

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/ted-turners-land-purchases-questioned/20071129084809990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

The Food and Agriculture Organization has an interesting breakdown of arguments for and against federal funding for National Forests:

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/X6821E/X6821E05.htm

This doesn’t settle it for me though. I think as a rule we should leave the National Forest Department in tact. There are much more important things that need to have their funding cut. National Forests should have their funding cut after we have developed a more complex understanding of market externalities in regards to the environment.

However, I am still pondering the subject. If you have a more informed opinion feel free to be irate and verbally abuse me.

Peace,
-Ian

UNR Students for Liberty – http://www.unrforliberty.com
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View Comments Posted by UNR Student For Liberty in Uncategorized
  • John Russell

    “Unfortunately, most Americans believe that the only way to preserve our environment is through public ownership of the means of production… There is no surer way to destroy the environment than through government ownership of the means of production. I find it amusing when advocates of public ownership and control exclaim, “We can’t trust private owners with the environment — they might destroy it because they want profits.” Yet, they blind themselves to this: governmental ownership is the biggest cause of environmental damage!”
    Consider this article:
    http://www.fff.org/freedom/0593a.asp

  • John Russell

    “Unfortunately, most Americans believe that the only way to preserve our environment is through public ownership of the means of production… There is no surer way to destroy the environment than through government ownership of the means of production. I find it amusing when advocates of public ownership and control exclaim, “We can’t trust private owners with the environment — they might destroy it because they want profits.” Yet, they blind themselves to this: governmental ownership is the biggest cause of environmental damage!”Consider this article:http://www.fff.org/freedom/0593a.asp

  • Robbie_NX01

    Forests. Not the most thrilling of topics. I suppose I should just be glad it is not the interstate system. You would not believe how many converations I’ve been dragged into concerning it!

    Random Person #452: You’re a Libertarian? What would you do about the interstate system?

    Of all the possible topics I would be interested in talking about, the interstate system is not even in the top 10,000!

    Anyway, now where was I? Oh yeah, that forest thing. I really do not have an opinion. I shall have to wait until The Economist has an article about this issue. They will tell me what my opinion is to be. ;-)

  • Robbie_NX01

    Forests. Not the most thrilling of topics. I suppose I should just be glad it is not the interstate system. You would not believe how many converations I’ve been dragged into concerning it!

    Random Person #452: You’re a Libertarian? What would you do about the interstate system?

    Of all the possible topics I would be interested in talking about, the interstate system is not even in the top 10,000!

    Anyway, now where was I? Oh yeah, that forest thing. I really do not have an opinion. I shall have to wait until The Economist has an article about this issue. They will tell me what my opinion is to be. ;-)

  • Robbie_NX01

    Forests. Not the most thrilling of topics. I suppose I should just be glad it is not the interstate system. You would not believe how many converations I’ve been dragged into concerning it!Random Person #452: You’re a Libertarian? What would you do about the interstate system?Of all the possible topics I would be interested in talking about, the interstate system is not even in the top 10,000!Anyway, now where was I? Oh yeah, that forest thing. I really do not have an opinion. I shall have to wait until The Economist has an article about this issue. They will tell me what my opinion is to be. ;-)

  • Robbie_NX01

    Forests. Not the most thrilling of topics. I suppose I should just be glad it is not the interstate system. You would not believe how many converations I’ve been dragged into concerning it!Random Person #452: You’re a Libertarian? What would you do about the interstate system?Of all the possible topics I would be interested in talking about, the interstate system is not even in the top 10,000!Anyway, now where was I? Oh yeah, that forest thing. I really do not have an opinion. I shall have to wait until The Economist has an article about this issue. They will tell me what my opinion is to be. ;-)

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