Environmental politics is increasingly dominated by the language of economics and theories about the motivation of private actors. This is symbolic of philosophical perspective that views the market not at the cause, but the solution to environmental problems. A first step in this direction were efforts to link consumer choices to environmental protection goals—in essence, seeking to protect the environment by allowing consumers to choose environmentally-safe products. A related effort to capture the internal logic of the market has been recycling programs designed to reduce waste and limit consumption of raw materials. Business has taken the lead in many of these efforts, and it is recognition that pollution prevention and related activities can reduce costs and increase profits. Regulatory policy has adjusted to theses changes with a number of programs that seek to use the market, and profit incentives, to encourage environmental protection goals. Perhaps the most notable, are pollution allowances or credits that seek to reward industrial actors for reducing emissions.


Objectives

After completing this week’s web-lectures, assignment, readings, and participating in the on-line discussions you will have a better understanding of how the logic of market and the profit incentive now shape environmental policy.