Libertarians Should Be Environmentalists Too!

On December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 would make its way back from the last manned mission to the Moon. From a distance of 45,000 kilometers (28,000 miles), the crew of that flight decided to take a snapshot of our lovely home, Earth. The photo would be called “The Blue Marble” and it would be one of the few photos we have that encapsulates our planet in its intrinsic glory.
The image quickly became iconic, representing the frailty of humanity’s propensity towards division. It simply depicted Earth and challenged us to think differently about our role in it. The ecological harm done to the planet takes no notice to the borders we put up against each other. The ecological harms we put on Earth transcend borders, and likewise affect the lives of all inhabitants on this planet. The response to this understanding was the growth of the modern environmentalist movement. Despite being considered a leftist scourge by some, the underlying principle environmentalists share is completely accurate, and best expressed by Carl Sagan. “A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed.” Our conflict with each other and the Earth is a loss-loss, whether it is the rage of war, divisive hierarchical structures, and in this case, environmental degradation. In this respect, environmentalism should not be a politically-divisive philosophy, but instead it should be an all-encompassing philosophy that takes particular notice to the balance of Earth’s ecosystems.
All living organisms require resources from the ecosystem to meet their needs and wants. With this in mind, notice must be taken concerning the extraction, use, and conservation of those
limited resources, along with their ultimate impact on the environment. We cannot be ignorant that humans have undeniably made a permanent impact on ecosystems across the globe, so much so that the scientific community is currently contemplating the declaration of the Anthropocene.
As libertarians, we rightfully believe that individuals flourish in a free and open society. When our liberty is protected, instead of curtailed, we all reap the benefits of pursuing our happiness. But with the understanding of how interconnected global ecosystems are, environmental issues effect all of us involuntarily. Environmental degradation is a legitimate concern. I believe libertarians have an important role to play in the movement. Here are 12 things libertarians can do towards a sustainable and environmentally sound future.
- Become an environmentally-friendly consumer: Making an effort to base your consumer decisions on environmental concerns can contribute to the success of environmentally-friendly products, services, and business models on the marketplace.
- Change how you get around: Automobiles have been the dominant choice of transportation since the 1950s when it really started becoming mainstream. Unfortunately the environmental footprint of the average motorist is incredibly high compared to those who opt for more sustainable transportation like biking, walking, public transportation, and even ridesharing.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: All three result in the decrease of an individual’s waste, and the conservation of resources is a plus, too. Seriously, this should be common knowledge.
- Pay attention to your non-renewable energy usage: Each individual’s usage of non-renewable energy contributes to resource depletion and pollution in some way or another. While it’s certainly practicable to use non-renewable energy at times, an individual should conserve that energy the best they can. Transitioning to renewable energy certainly does alleviate a lot of this problem.
- Change the discussion about environmental policy: Libertarians can also offer an alternative of more market-based policies (largely to internalize environmental externalities) such as;environmental full-cost accounting, pollution charge systems, tradable pollution permits,deposit-refund systems, the reduction of market barriers, and providing public information to consumers. Plus, libertarians can have a lot to say regarding dirty subsidies and rent-seeking legislation.
- Appreciate the intrinsic value of the natural world: Whether it is a hike through a national park, an eco-tourist trip in Latin America, or just going to a local botanical garden, all of these further your understanding of the intrinsic value of nature, and an appreciation for such.
- Fund environmentally-friendly kick-starters: Anyone working on a start-up will tell you it’s harder than you’d think, and they are right. So why not help these entrepreneurs bring an innovative green product or service to the market!
- Advocate for Property Rights: Property rights are heralded as a better way to manage environmental concerns, because they create incentives for property owners to be stewards to their land’s environment in order to maintain its value. Tort law can become a legal means to protect private property from negative environmental externalities, such as pollution, land degradation, and the damming of natural waterways, all of which can stifle an individual’s property rights.
- Stand up against military interventionism and warmongering: Just like the hippies of the 60s, today’s libertarians need to be just as loud and outraged at militarization and war. Besides the obvious threats the two pose, there is a great deal of environmental concerns. First, there is the resources wasted on sending our military overseas to fight. Second, we must acquire the resources to rebuild in the aftermath. Third, throughout the fighting, there are several unintended and sometimes intended environmental damages. And finally, the creation and use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons all have dreadful track records for environmental welfare.
- Immerse yourself in collaborative consumption (a.k.a. sharing economy): Collaborative consumption is a class of economic arrangements in which participants share access to products or services, rather than having individual ownership. This can range from usingAirBnB to rent accommodations in someone’s private home, using Zipcar to rent out your extra-vehicle, and even things like bikes, garden space, and even power tools!
- Do-It-Yourself: Many libertarians are advocates of self-reliance and personal responsibility, both of which DIYers demonstrate quite well. Whether you are starting an urban garden (or chicken coop if you feel like pushing limits), using a 3D Printer, or installing solar panels, taking a personal action is a remarkable testament to your commitment to sustainability, and could even save money.
- Volunteer your time: Putting your time to good use for an environmental project or cause can be a great way to directly contribute to making a more sustainable world. You can spend time volunteering on a forest restoration project or a community garden, and if activism is preferable, you can always join Friends of the Earth.
The advocacy of environmental welfare is not just for long-haired, tie-dye wearing treehuggers, but for everyone on this dear planet of ours. From the Inuits of Arctic Canada, to the impoverished families along the shores of the Yangzi River, to the urban professionals of Sydney, the effects of climate changes, environmental degradation, and resource depletion are felt by us all. Because of this, libertarians have a decision to make. Are we going to embrace the environmentalism or are we going to be dismissive of environmental concerns? I believe this decision should be obvious. Let us challenge people to think differently about the environment this Earth Day!
This was originally written by Students For Liberty blog team member Chance Davies.
Libertarians Should Be Environmentalists Too!
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9 CommentsThoughts? Comments?
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Massimo Mazzone August 18, 2015 , 6:20 am Vote0
Bow-ties or ponytails, bs is bs. My last check to SFL is actually my last check.
RJ Miller August 18, 2015 , 6:39 am Vote0
Why?
Massimo Mazzone August 18, 2015 , 7:14 am Vote0
With the exception of 8 and 9, which are platitudes, the recommendations are a politically-correct prescription for a masochist life
RJ Miller August 18, 2015 , 6:36 am Vote0
A lot of critics of Libertarian policy who are so on environmentalist grounds could very well change their mind from this post alone.
In addition to giving examples of how government is a major source of pollution problems, it lists non-governmental ways of actually *doing* something to reduce environmental degradation. The differences between so-called “watermelon” environmentalists (look that up…) and Libertarians may only be apparent.
This is a post I plan on sharing widely and know I will be both citing and implementing for years to come!
Rick Rule August 18, 2015 , 5:04 pm Vote4
I think this is a useful discussion, in that the author mostly relies on persuasion, rather than force. I share the writers concern with regards to the costs associated with some aspects of our lifestyle, and the biological success of our species. Given that I have spent my entire life in natural resource and extractive industry investment and speculation, I’d like to comment on certain points made by the author ,
1) no problem being a considerate consumer, but make your decisions based on fact, not a fuzzy narrative.
Buy organic if you like it, or believe it to be more healthy, but understand that on a yield per acre basis, and on a cost basis, you are on shaky ” environmental” ground.
Understand that solar energy and distributed power require the consumption of certain rare metals, and that the current production processes associated with supplying these metals is highly toxic, involving their own costs.
2) note that a lot of public transportation is way under utilized, and as a consequence extremely inefficient on a passenger mile basis.
3) be an informed user of recycling. Closed loop recycling, using recycled products yourself can be very efficient. To much of what is described as recycling today is narrative and subsidy based, and generates a net resource waste.
4) Note that many alternative energy sources are themselves wasteful and inefficient, with the current level of technology. Note also, that the cost to the power grid of intermittent, distributed generation is high, and has increased energy costs dramaticaly in many jurisdictions.
I could go on through all twelve points, but you all get my point.
I appreciate the authors reliance on persuasion, rather than an overt call for regulation and force. I would like to see the discussion be fact based however.
Michael Arko August 19, 2015 , 11:31 am Vote0
While many of the arguments here are reasonably sound, the article ignores the primary driver of environmental management, which is wealth. Just think about your own home and how clean it is. The more money people make, the more likely they are to get a maid, the more often the maid comes to clean, etc. Liberty allows us the tools we need to increase our wealth and thus improve our environment. That to me seems a much easier, more tangible argument to make. Just compare LA circa 1970 to LA today … or to Beijing.
Justin Heyns August 19, 2015 , 2:00 pm Vote0
The beijing, LA comparison might not be the best one to use here. You could argue that globalization has outsourced dirty industries from the US to China. Also, so far as I’m aware, city pollution standards have increased in california over time so that story has a kind of anti capitalist/statist edge. Instead think of management of forests in USA vs Brazil or conservation of wildlife in South Africa and Kenya vs Zimbabwe. The difference in both cases is property rights.
Peter Lothian Nelson August 21, 2015 , 11:22 pm Vote0
Related to this post, I would like to recommend my book: “Water Capitalism – The Case for Privatization of Oceans, Rivers, Lakes and Aquifers” by Walter E. Block and myself forthcoming from Lexington Books in October. We discuss the environmental advantages of private ownership of water and bodies thereof.
Peter Lothian Nelson August 21, 2015 , 11:29 pm Vote0
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498518819/Water-Capitalism-The-Case-for-Privatizing-Oceans-Rivers-Lakes-and-Aquifers