Free markets are our secret weapon against environmental challenges.
This is not something we hear very often. We are more likely to hear the opposite, as when Greta Thunberg lectures us about “fairy tales of eternal economic growth” and David Attenborough remarks, “Anyone who thinks that you can have infinite growth in a finite environment is either a madman or an economist.”
That sort of reasoning has a long pedigree, stretching from Thomas Malthus in 1798 to Paul Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb, which, in 1968, predicted that humanity would imminently run out of resources and “hundreds of millions” would starve in the 1970s.
That tradition of reasoning has, fortunately, been completely proven wrong. The good news is that humanity’s environmental impact is declining while we continue to grow economically, achieving longer and more prosperous and fulfilled lives.
The United States reached “peak stuff” in the 1990s. Like other developed countries, we are now consuming less in raw goods, both per capita and in absolute terms, while achieving economic growth. There is declining use of plastics, paper, timber, lead, steel, aluminum, and much more. “Peak oil” has been replaced by concerns about oil prices being too low, as usage declines and we discover more oil fields.
In the case of agriculture, farmers are using less nitrogen, potash, phosphate, water, and land to produce more food than ever before. We now produce enough food to feed 10 billion people, and the United Nations’s Food and Agriculture Organization forecasts that crop yields will increase by 30% in the next 30 years. Millions of acres of land previously used for farming and animal production have been returned to nature.
These days, food waste and obesity are bigger challenges than starvation — a situation totally unimaginable to our forefathers.
That’s not all: The hole in the ozone layer is shrinking, per capita greenhouse emissions are falling, and many endangered species are being replenished. Environmental progress is most striking in richer, more developed countries, which have reduced air pollution, cleaned formerly putrid rivers, and opened green spaces for public enjoyment.
We have become wealthier over the last few hundred years not because we used more, but rather thanks to our ability to find innovative ways to do more with less. The truly unlimited resource is the human mind. Innovators are constantly looking for ways to make cans with less aluminum, to make cars that are more fuel efficient, to make computers that use less energy. We can only address our very real environmental challenges if we acknowledge, understand, and replicate the progress over recent decades.
The confusion about our environmental improvement perhaps stems from its source. We are overcoming environmental challenges, not because of the benevolence of a grand planner, and not because of Greta, but rather because of the dispersed actions and choices of billions of people, each seeking out little improvements, largely motivated by their interest in making a little more profit.
Despite the claims of many modern-day environmentalists, grand plans in the socialist style were rotten for the environment. Countries with the most economic freedom perform 50% better on Yale and Columbia University’s Environmental Performance Index compared to countries that are repressed or mostly unfree. This is because centrally controlled economies do not ensure our limited resources are put to the best possible use. Furthermore, affluence provides the necessary resources and public concern to address environmental challenges.
Economist Thomas Sowell quotes Soviet economists discussing how without prices, enterprises request more raw materials, equipment, and other resources than they require because there is no incentive (provided by prices and profits) to economize. The Soviet economy used an astonishing 1.5 times more materials, 2.1 times more energy, and 2.4 times more metal per unit of national income compared to the U.S. in the same era. The Soviets also broke international agreements by hunting for whales, despite their limited economic use, to keep up with “quotas.” There was also substantial evidence of brown haze and chemical fumes after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
In short, free markets are good for the environment. Anything that hampers the process of innovation, such as unfriendly taxation and red tape that prevents new entrants, is damaging. We can help the environment by removing barriers to technologies such as genetically modified crops, fracking, lab-grown meat, carbon capture and storage, and much more.
This is not to say that there is no role for the state in ensuring positive environmental outcomes, but the goal should be to ensure the market operates effectively to allocate scarce resources — for example, by protecting property rights. Government should avoid disastrous plans to direct businesses.
Matthew Lesh is the head of research at the Adam Smith Institute and a chapter author in the new book Green Market Revolution: How Market Environmentalism Can Protect Nature and Save the World.
DT on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 11:41 am
This article is a real nice line of bullshit. Everything humans do at scale equals the “free market”. At scale humans have now proven that extinction is inevitable sooner than later.
Richard Guenette on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 1:43 pm
This article is bullshit.
Richard Guenette on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 1:53 pm
I am full of bullshit
FamousDrScanlon on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:17 pm
Matthew Lesh is a fucking cancer ape who is simply fulfilling his evolutionary & thermodynamic mandates to breed & reduce gradients. He’s just more enthusiastic about it than most. At least he knows why the universe created him. Matt knows his purpose.
The purpose of life is to disperse energy
The truly dangerous ideas in science tend to be those that threaten the collective ego of humanity and knock us further off our pedestal of centrality. The Copernican Revolution abruptly dislodged humans from the center of the universe. The Darwinian Revolution yanked Homo sapiens from the pinnacle of life. Today another menacing revolution sits at the horizon of knowledge, patiently awaiting broad realization by the same egotistical species.
The dangerous idea is this: the purpose of life is to disperse energy.
Many of us are at least somewhat familiar with the second law of thermodynamics, the unwavering propensity of energy to disperse and, in doing so, transition from high quality to low quality forms. More generally, as stated by ecologist Eric Schneider, “nature abhors a gradient,” where a gradient is simply a difference over a distance — for example, in temperature or pressure. Open physical systems — including those of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere — all embody this law, being driven by the dispersal of energy, particularly the flow of heat, continually attempting to achieve equilibrium. Phenomena as diverse as lithospheric plate motions, the northward flow of the Gulf Stream, and occurrence of deadly hurricanes are all examples of second law manifestations.
There is growing evidence that life, the biosphere, is no different. It has often been said the life’s complexity contravenes the second law, indicating the work either of a deity or some unknown natural process, depending on one’s bias. Yet the evolution of life and the dynamics of ecosystems obey the second law mandate, functioning in large part to dissipate energy. They do so not by burning brightly and disappearing, like a fire torching a forest, but through stable metabolic cycles that store chemical energy and continually reduce the solar gradient. Photosynthetic plants, bacteria, and algae capture energy from the sun and form the core of all food webs.
Virtually all organisms, including humans, are, in a real sense, sunlight transmogrified, temporary waypoints in the flow of energy. Ecological succession, viewed from a thermodynamic perspective, is a process that maximizes the capture and degradation of energy. Similarly, the tendency for life to become more complex over the past 3.5 billion years (as well as the overall increase in biomass and organismal diversity through time) is not due simply to natural selection, as most evolutionists still argue, but also to nature’s “efforts” to grab more and more of the sun’s flow. The slow burn that characterizes life enables ecological systems to persist over deep time, changing in response to external and internal perturbations.
Ecology has been summarized by the pithy statement, “energy flows, matter cycles. ” Yet this maxim applies equally to complex systems in the non-living world; indeed it literally unites the biosphere with the physical realm. More and more, it appears that complex, cycling, swirling systems of matter have a natural tendency to emerge in the face of energy gradients. This recurrent phenomenon may even have been the driving force behind life’s origins.
This idea is not new, and is certainly not mine. Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger was one of the first to articulate the hypothesis, as part of his famous “What is Life” lectures in Dublin in 1943. More recently, Jeffrey Wicken, Harold Morowitz, Eric Schneider and others have taken this concept considerably further, buoyed by results from a range of studies, particularly within ecology. Schneider and Dorian Sagan provide an excellent summary of this hypothesis in their recent book, “Into the Cool”.
The concept of life as energy flow, once fully digested, is profound. Just as Darwin fundamentally connected humans to the non-human world, a thermodynamic perspective connects life inextricably to the non-living world. This dangerous idea, once broadly distributed and understood, is likely to provoke reaction from many sectors, including religion and science. The wondrous diversity and complexity of life through time, far from being the product of intelligent design, is a natural phenomenon intimately linked to the physical realm of energy flow.
Moreover, evolution is not driven by the machinations of selfish genes propagating themselves through countless millennia. Rather, ecology and evolution together operate as a highly successful, extremely persistent means of reducing the gradient generated by our nearest star. In my view, evolutionary theory (the process, not the fact of evolution!) and biology generally are headed for a major overhaul once investigators fully comprehend the notion that the complex systems of earth, air, water, and life are not only interconnected, but interdependent, cycling matter in order to maintain the flow of energy.
Although this statement addresses only naturalistic function and is mute with regard to spiritual meaning, it is likely to have deep effects outside of science. In particular, broad understanding of life’s role in dispersing energy has great potential to help humans reconnect both to nature and to planet’s physical systems at a key moment in our species’ history.
https://www.edge.org/response-detail/10674
Matt would be even happier if he understood the Maximum Power Principle which essentially predicts the humans will degrade as much available (economical) energy as their abilities allow, damn the consequences. All the data proves this to be the case. The environmental movement is the biggest failed social movement in history. It hasn’t accomplished any of it’s goals – population control & saving the planet via less resource use & consumption. Look at the data for all these metrics – start on the first ‘earth day’ 1970.
I’d be embarrassed to call myself an environmentalist. Matt & the other pro growth cancer chimps should be embarrassed too – for their decades of hysterical alarmism over the non existing threat of environmentalism. Zero supporting data that environmentalism prevented or slowed any economic growth by slowing breeding, extraction & consumption. Ha ha, millions of conservatard types have been paranoid, stressed & angry as hell at environmentalist based on rhetoric from shills like Matt. Any moron who could read a graph would have laughed off envirotards as hypocritical ineffective wind bags like I have my entire life. You know that always being angry & stressed is as bad or worse than smoking. I wonder how many angry consevertads died early because they were constantly stressed & angry over an imaginary threat cooked up in a think tank & barked out of their radio everyday by the likes of Rush mad dog Limbaugh?
Humans are dumb & doomed
The board on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:22 pm
FamousDrScanlon Please refrain for plagiarism word salads or you will be banned from the forum. Got it. Fuck head
supertards CONVICT-19 is weakening my brain and i feel foggy i cant think straight no more but i approve all posts above as based on SCIENCE-19 i dont know how much longer i can keep this up please prosts harder and more frequent on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:28 pm
i do all i can to review and approve your posts.
thanks for respecting supertard
thanks for loving supremacist muzzies
we all in this together facial DIAPER-19 a must if we hope to come out better for all
FamousDrScanlon on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:31 pm
Stress, Portrait of a Killer – Full Documentary (2008)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYG0ZuTv5rs
FamousDrScanlon on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:39 pm
The board, was your daddy a raging stressed out Limbaugh listening, enviro hating consevertard who died young & now you are all offended?
Good. Looks like you might be next. Temper temper.
Perhaps ‘the board’ can pass the hat or start a ‘go fund me’ trip to an luxury anger management retreat for you. I’ll kick in $3.75 & a pack of Marlboro’s.
The board on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:52 pm
FamousDrScanlon in addition to your plagiarism word salad stop the spamming of stupidity:
“Stress, Portrait of a Killer – Fu“
Fuck head
zero juan on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:54 pm
Mindless nonsense from the lunatic:
supertards CONVICT-19 is weakening my brain and i feel foggy i cant think straight no more but i approve all posts above as based on SCIENCE-19 i dont know how much longer i can keep this up please prosts harder and more frequent said i do all i can to review and approve your posts….
Abraham van Helsing on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:03 pm
FamousDrScanlon on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 3:17 pm
Matthew Lesh is a fucking cancer ape
“cancer ape”, now that does ring a bell…
+ pushing Carice van Houten and Spinoza…
googlediegooglediegoogle…
https://peakoil.com/generalideas/how-islam-is-taking-over-the-world/comment-page-1#comments
“Apneaman on Thu, 24th Dec 2015 1:42 pm”
“Cancer apes are just one more evolutionary dead end”
Eh lookies, the TalmudTurk is back!
Long time, no see, sheeny!
LOL
Busted, you sneaky, scheming, discontinued model of history.
Not smart enough.
How is Vancouver these days? Already majority chink? Are these as docile as your white Canadians? No?
REAL Green on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:33 pm
Welcome back Apeman!
JuanP on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:41 pm
Welcome back pussy!
JuanP on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:43 pm
Duncan’s lying liberal crowd:
“More Media-Hyped Hysteria? Fearmongering NBC Doctor Who ‘Battled COVID’ Admits Never Had Virus”
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/more-media-hyped-hysteria-fearmongering-nbc-doctor-who-battled-covid-admits-never-had-virus
Abraham van Helsing on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:43 pm
Hey look, the chinks are outbiding the heebs!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8515561/Chinese-fixer-targets-five-leaders-New-evidence-Chinas-infiltration-British-Establishment.html
“Chinese fixer targets FIVE Prime Ministers: New evidence of Beijing’s infiltration of British Establishment as it emerges leading figure ‘tasked with grooming foreign elites’ met politicians including Boris Johnson, David Cameron and Tony Blair“
The planet has a new master!
#FriendsOfChina
Abraham van Helsing on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:51 pm
But where are all the English? I only see monkeys?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8515339/Revellers-throw-punches-chairs-brawl-City-London-rooftop-bar-eight-arrested.html
“Shocking moment revellers throw punches and launch tables and chairs at each other during brawl at City of London rooftop bar after easing of lockdown as eight people are arrested“
Davy on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 5:52 pm
“Trump Is Now Left With Two Darker Options – A Domestic Civil Conflict And/Or A Chinese Conflict”
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/hedge-fund-cio-trump-now-left-two-darker-options-domestic-civil-conflict-andor-chinese
“We’re not close to knowing how this election goes down. Trump’s hope to rely on a robust recovery took a major blow this week, the nation hitting successive daily record infections, economic activity slowing. And that leaves two darker options; a domestic civil conflict and/or a Chinese conflict. The only thing uniting Americans is a belief that China is an adversary. Now Bannon says we’re building a case that Covid was caused by a lab leak. Trump just chose to double down on a culture war. Will civil conflict rise to a level where it justifies a powerful military intervention to restore order? Will this allow Trump to position himself as civil society’s defender and paint Biden as an anarchy advocate?”
makati1 on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:11 pm
“Trump Is Now Left With Two Darker Options – A Domestic Civil Conflict And/Or A Chinese Conflict”
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/hedge-fund-cio-trump-now-left-two-darker-options-domestic-civil-conflict-andor-chinese
“We’re not close to knowing how this election goes down. Trump’s hope to rely on a robust recovery took a major blow this week, the nation hitting successive daily record infections, economic activity slowing. And that leaves two darker options; a domestic civil conflict and/or a Chinese conflict. The only thing uniting Americans is a belief that China is an adversary. Now Bannon says we’re building a case that Covid was caused by a lab leak. Trump just chose to double down on a culture war. Will civil conflict rise to a level where it justifies a powerful military intervention to restore order? Will this allow Trump to position himself as civil society’s defender and paint Biden as an anarchy advocate?”
Davy on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:12 pm
Keep America Great!
Go Trump!
JuanP on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:13 pm
Keep America Great!
Go Trump!
Harquebus on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:14 pm
“But humans won’t die out. With enough money, we are extremely adaptable. Air-conditioning and desalination plants will allow those in more affluent societies to live in extremely hot, dry places. The rich can build sea walls, move to colder places, and pay more for food – which will become much more expensive.”
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-are-we-on-the-brink-of-a-mass-extinction-20191015-p530vy.html
No comment.
Davy on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:18 pm
“”Tsunami” Of Evictions Could Make 28 Million Americans Homeless This Summer Alone”
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/tsunami-evictions-could-make-28-million-americans-homeless-summer-alone
“With the pandemic continuing to sink its claws into the United States, economic conditions have also failed to improve for millions of people. As a result, nearly one-third U.S. households – representing 32 percent – have still not made their full housing payments for the month of July.”
Duncan Idaho on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:57 pm
avy on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:18 pm
“”Tsunami” Of Evictions Could Make 28 Million Americans Homeless This Summer Alone”
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/tsunami-evictions-could-make-28-million-americans-homeless-summer-alone
“With the pandemic continuing to sink its claws into the United States, economic conditions have also failed to improve for millions of people. As a result, nearly one-third U.S. households – representing 32 percent – have still not made their full housing payments for the month of July.”
JuanP on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 6:59 pm
“But humans won’t die out. With enough money, we are extremely adaptable. Air-conditioning and desalination plants will allow those in more affluent societies to live in extremely hot, dry places. The rich can build sea walls, move to colder places, and pay more for food – which will become much more expensive.”
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-are-we-on-the-brink-of-a-mass-extinction-20191015-p530vy.html
No comment.
Duncan Idaho on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 7:00 pm
Keep America Great!
Go Trump!
JuanP on Sun, 12th Jul 2020 7:01 pm
so true Duncan so true
RPG on Fri, 17th Jul 2020 4:01 pm
If America puts Biden into the Oval Office, he’ll be a disaster. Plus, he will turn the US into a totalitarian dictatorship.