Polling has always been an important part of our lives. ShownAccording to Gen Z and millennials, climate and environmental issues are top priorities. Youth marches, school strikes, and trending Instagram graphics show that the next generation is eco-conscious. Polling shows that younger generations also favor big government, top down legislation, and even socialism. 70%They said they would vote for a socialist. Millennial and Gen Z voting patterns show that, despite their deep environmental concerns and their desire to protect the environment, they are not aware of the best ways to do so. They often advocate policies and approaches that will not achieve their desired result, a healthy and thriving Earth.
Left-of center politicians and environmentalists who are interested in environmental issues are often prioritized. preservation,While those who are more hands-on with natural resource resources prefer it, Conservation.
Imagine an outdoorman who bought land to be close to nature.
A preservationist would argue that an outdoorsman can access his land to enjoy its natural beauty, but any disturbance to its ecosystem would be detrimental to its intrinsic value. The land must therefore be left alone.
A conservationist, on the contrary, encourages the outdoorsman to actively manage the land. He might plant native fruit trees or hunt to protect the fauna. The outdoorsman must be involved in the improvement of his environment for the long-term good of both.
The responsible management of the land by an outdoorsman will increase its value, which is a benefit to property owners. This incentive makes the outdoorsman accountable and acts as a check. Clear property rights discourage mismanagement and misuse of resources.
Garret Hardin’s 1968 classic article is a great example of this dynamic. The Tragedy of CommonsHe describes a herdsman who is faced with a decision about the use of a common pasture.
The herdsman noted that the land was open to everyone and did not take responsibility for its upkeep. Realizing this, he decides to add an animal to his herd to increase his profit at no additional cost. He is not alone in this conclusion. His fellow herdsmen arrive at the same conclusion and each act in their own interests, so the pasture soon becomes over-grazed, leading to underdeveloped livestock and barren ground at great expense to all.
Hardin concludes that this is the tragedy. Each man is trapped in a system that forces him to increase his herd in a limited world. Ruin is the destination towards which all men rush. Each man pursues his best interest in a society that believes strongly in the freedom and common good. All are doomed to ruin if there is freedom in a commons.
Hardin’s story illustrates that good incentives are key to effective resource management. Property owners are incentivized not to waste resources, as they would be liable for their own misfortune. Hardin’s parable shows that environmental degradation is caused by the fact that no herdsman owns the grass, so no one has any incentive to ensure that it is being used sustainably.
Young people are rightly concerned about environmental issues, including climate change and ocean plastic pollution. National Park has a backlog of deferred maintenance. These challenges all have one thing in common. They are not made to feel the effects of their neglect. The tragedy of the commons shows why activists should not rely solely on the federal government for adequate environmental solutions, despite all their concern.
The strongest incentive to protect property ownership is ownership. Individuals must face the negative and positive consequences of their actions. Simply put Detailed explanationPhilosopher Aristotle said that people tend to pay more attention to what they own than what is shared. This is why environmental conservation approaches that prioritize preservation and common property pale in comparison with private conservation.
Young people around the globe continue to fight for a healthy planet. It would be a good idea to adopt clearly defined property rights, and conservation practices. If we encourage interaction with the environment, we will not only get better environmental outcomes but also foster a love of natural places.
