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In the November-December 2006 issue of
Sierra magazine, Carl Pope wrote a review that prompted me to
read this powerful book written by a self-proclaimed
conservative professor.
I was surprised to find that many basic
conservative principles are coincident with ours in the
environmental community. These core
principles include:
1) Not being materialistc - there are
things that are more important than production and consumption;
2) Responsibility - including bearing
consequences;
3) Private property - pollution is a
violation of this basic right;
4) Free market - no subsidies to skew
markets and externalities should be internalized in prices;
5) Piety towards nature
6) Intergenerational society - with an
obligation of stewardship for future generations;
7) Prudence - showing caution and concern
for long-term consequences;
8) Not being ideological
Unfortunately, I was outraged by Bliese's
description of how the Republican Party has been hijacked by
extreme right-wing idealogues who are not following basic
conservative principles and values.
Bliese explodes many misconceptions and
myths. For example, he describes how a fundamental principle of
the free market is that producers and consumers should pay all
costs of their production and consumption. In addition, he
provides many examples of how protecting the environment does
not hurt the economy, competitiveness, economic growth, profits,
or jobs. In fact, many of these are enhanced!
Finally, Bliese describes how recognizing
the interdependence of the market economy and environment is
critical to long-term sustainability. He presents many potential
solutions to today's environmental problems - air and water
pollution, toxic waste, global warming, and species extinction -
that should be supported by true conservatives and
environmentalists alike. Some of these solutions include:
tradable quotas, transferable development credits (already used
in the Puget Sound area), land trusts and conservation
easements, elimination of subsidies, feebates, internalizing
externalities to reflect true costs, and economic/environmental
sustainability. This book should inform, enlighten, and
invigorate the reader. |
