The Economics of Earth Day
April 18, 2008
On April 22, hundreds of environmental organizations around the nation and even government entities will spend millions of dollars promoting Earth Day. Unfortunately, many of the speakers at these forums and in our public classrooms may neglect to mention the vital role private-property rights play in helping to fund this international day of eco-education.
The same system of private-property rights that many environmental groups are actively working to erode may actually be the environmental movement's best friend. If this seems counterintuitive, simply consider the economic underpinnings of the funding underwriting Earth Day events.
I am willing to bet that if one looks closely, one will find much of the wealth spent on this international eco-frenzy springs from nations where private-property rights are highly valued.
Where private-property ri ghts are protected, investments in land and other goods are perceived as secure. This economic stability gives individuals the ability to retain the value of daily labor in the form of tangible goods and real property and to receive benefit from the free exchange of these private-property assets. This capability motivates most individuals to work hard to build up and improve their property in order to increase their individual financial security.
As personal wealth and savings increase, individuals move up the socioeconomic ladder and can focus greater time, energy and financial resources on issues beyond mere sustenance.
The collective economic explosion resulting from individual ambitions and secure private-property ownership is what generates the level of societal wealth necessary to support significant public and private expenditures on environmental research, education and conservation.
For perspective, consider Third World nations where private-property rights are not protected. In most cases, you will find citizens and financially unstable governments still coping to meet basic human needs, such as sanitary drinking water, food and basic medical care. These nations do not self-generate significant public or private funding for environmental education and conservation.
History has also shown us that even when government assumes full control and regulation of all private property, the environment is not a winner. In the former Soviet Union, China and former Eastern bloc countries, environmental pollution and degradation were widespread and severe. It is the tragedy of the commons: When everyone owns it, no one cares for it.
On Earth Day, instead of paying homage to Mother Earth or the Greek Earth goddess, Gaia, environmentalists should celebrate by taking a builder, busines sman or entrepreneur to lunch to commemorate the importance of private-property rights and economic freedom. The ability to freely pursue one's individual dreams without undue burden of government is what provides citizens in prosperous, property-rights-driven economies with the economic luxury of funding environmental education and conservation programs.
( Note: This article was published as a guest editorial in today's Orlando Sentinel.)
PROPERTY RIGHTS EDUCATION & ADVOCACY
CPR'S MISSION is to educate the public and elected officials of the importance of private property rights and to defend these rights from further erosion. If you recognize there is a vital need for property rights education and for owners to have a voice in policy debates impacting their rights, we cordially invite you to step up today and to join CPR as an official member. The scope of CPR's work is directly tied to the financial support we receive from individual donors. Please visit www .proprights.com, or call Don Madden at 407-481-2289 for additional information on individual & corporate membership options, or to discuss making a special gift.
Reader responses always welcomed!Saviak@proprights.com