Economic Growth: The Path to a Cleaner Environment

Published January 7, 2021

Although it may seem like free-market capitalism and environmentalism are at odds with one another, economic prosperity leads to more environmental protection, not less. Countries become wealthier when they have well-defined and enforceable property rights. Those same property rights lead to more environmental protection by both private individuals and the government.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do property rights affect environmentalism?
2. How can we preserve property rights?

Additional Resources:

• To learn more, read “Environmental Markets vs. Environmental Socialism: Capturing Prosperity and Environmental Quality,” by Terry Anderson. Available here.
• Watch “Free Market Environmentalism,” with Terry Anderson. Available here.
• Watch “A Better Way to Preserve the Environment,” with Terry Anderson. Available here.