An Environmental Policy for the 21st Century

Executive Summary

The environmental movement had its genesis in gloom-and-doom scenarios of global pollution.

These dire views tapped a common-sense appreciation for the value of our natural surroundings.

Human needs disappeared from apocalyptic “green” perspectives.

A critical understanding of environmental solutions that exclude people is growing.

The response of traditional “greens” to this development has often been hysterical and unfair.

A new consensus, both “smart” and “green,” integrates the actions of our species with ecological health.

Fundamental to it is an emphasis on an unbiased scientific evaluation of data.

Modern environmentalists insist that collective actions produce real results, not just good feelings.

A key element in the new approach is a healthy appreciation for the environmental benefits of wealth creation.

It entails abandonment of the precautionary principle and the use instead of rational cost/benefit analysis.

Government action to improve the environment works better when it engages incentives to change behaviour.

Advanced technology is the friend, not the enemy of environmental quality.

We are learning that public sector conflicts of interest are a major cause of environmental damage.

Seven Principles for Making Policy “Smart and Green”:

1. Rely on unbiased science

2. Focus on measurable results

3. Recognize wealth creation as the wellspring for environmental improvement

4. Substitute risk and cost benefit analysis for the precautionary principle

5. Focus on incentives via property rights

6. Embrace environmentally friendly technology

7. Eliminate public sector conflicts of interest by separating resource ownership from regulation Pdf format (13 pages)

The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World

Radio Commentary, Bjørn Lomborg In Canada

A Conversation with Jim Harris, Leader, Green Party

The Modern Environmentalist

For more on the environment . . .

Author's Picture Robert Sopuck, Senior Fellow

is a modern environmentalst whose interests include solving environmental problems without reducing human freedom. He is a natural resource policy consultant with a special interest in rural issues who lives and works at Lake Audy, Manitoba. He received his B.Sc. from the University of Manitoba and Masters from Cornell University. His first career was in fisheries management. He later coordinated the sustainable development initiative for the province of Manitoba and was on the Canadian delegation to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. He was Manitoba's observer on the Board of the International Institute for Sustainable Development. In October 2007 he was appointed to the federal government's National Round Table on the Environment and Economy.

Feedback:

RE: An Environmental Policy for the 21st Century — October 13, 2005
I have just reviewed your paper on Smart and Green principles. I want to congratulate you for crafting such a thoughtful and intellectually-rigorous document. E-mail from Manitoba

Upcoming Events

Good Governance is Key
with Chief David Crate
May 29, 2013 — Winnipeg

Dam-nation: Rolling the Dice on Manitoba’s Future
with Graham Lane
June 5, 2013 — Winnipeg

Smart Green

Upcoming FCPP Appearances

Visionary Conversations: Our Education System: The Good, the Bad, and the Solutions
Speaker: Rodney Clifton, Senior Fellow for Frontier Centre for Public Policy
Date: May 22, 2013
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Robert B Schultz Theatre, St. John's College, University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus

Community Policy Forum
Speaker: Steve Lafleur, FCPP Policy Analyst
Date: May 28, 2013
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Place: Grant Park McNally Robinson, Winnipeg, Mb

Wed May 22, 2013

Symbol	Current Price
Canadian $	0.9644
US $	1.0369
S&P/TSX	12752.50
Dow Jones	13147.18
NASDAQ	3498.965
Oil	94.65
Uranium	40.75
Potash	42.32