Compiled by Carol Ferrie
Fifteen years ago, an academic publisher quietly released Free Market Environmentalism by Terry Anderson and Don Leal. At the time, few mainstream environmentalists or politicians saw the book. But since its publication, free-market environmentalism spurred a quiet revo-lution in environmental policy. Now its views and policy approaches are starting to be taken seriously in policy circles… No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, free-market environmentalism offers some interesting approaches to perennial problems.
—Max Borders
Media Coordinator, Civitas Institute of North Carolina and
Adjunct Scholar, National Center for Policy Analysis
The Nature Conservancy In the early eighties, economists and others who favored free market ideas for managing environmental assets could hold an annual meeting in a mini-van—with room to spare for their ï¬shing gear. At the time, most smart people felt FME was a rather quaint set of ideas that would go nowhere. Now, FME is a major ingredient in the clash of ideas that forms new policy. The world understands that incentives matter and that valuable natural resources need to be managed with owner-like concern.
—Bruce Yandle Dean Emeritus,
Clemson University
Terry and Don’s book was prophetic in promoting con-servation strategies that are now in vogue. PERC’s emphasis on market-based approaches reflects trends in many non-proï¬t organizations and public agencies to place an economic value on nature, using terms such as “ecosystem services” and “natural capital.” The conservation move-ment in this new century needs the market-based policy perspective that Terry and Don recognized long ago.
—Paul Bauman
Principal Gifts Team
The Nature Conservancy
Terry Anderson and Don Leal’s Free Market Environmen-talism was and still is a landmark book for all of us that love the outdoors and believe in the principles of entre-preneurship in our country. FME has stood the test of time and continues to be a guiding light. Congratulations, guys … you ROCK!
—Chuck Leavel
Charlane Plantation and Evergreen Arts
Keyboardist, The Rolling Stones
Fifteen years ago Terry Anderson and Don Leal were taking ideas that were outside the pale of public dis-course, and using scholarship and entrepreneurial en-deavor to inject those ideas into important policy deci-sions, aff ecting not only the West but the nation. Th e wonderful thing to behold since the publication of Free Market Environmentalism is that these ideas are now a national force to be reckoned with, adding a unique and truly vital perspective on environmental policy.
—William (Chip) H. Mellor
President and General Counsel
Institute for Justice
This book (Free Market Environmentalism) belongs on the bookshelf of every manager at the EPA.
—David W. Schnare, Esq. Ph.D.
Senior Fellow
The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
Having the thorough, thought-provoking research of PERC allows journalists to explore ideas that tell the bigger picture. It’s interesting that they often contradict what many “environmental” groups claim is “truth” that our forests are disappearing or that bald eagles are becoming extinct. PERC reminds the movers and shakers of the world that free market principles apply to our natural resources, too.
—John Stossel
Anchor
ABC News 20/20
Founded 30 years ago in Bozeman, Montana, PERC—the Property and Environment Research Center—is the nation’s oldest and largest institute dedicated to improving environmental quality through property rights and markets.
PERC’s publications, each designed to resonate with specific groups, move ideas generated at PERC to broader audiences.
Research is at the heart of PERC's work, with a focus on the question: What is the link between economic growth and environmental quality?
The goal of PERC’s programs is to fully realize the vision of establishing “PERC University,” where scholars, students, policy makers, and others convene to expand the applications of free market environmentalism.
PERC's fellowships share a common goal of exposing new scholars, students, journalists, and policy makers to free market environmentalism, as well as enable scholars already familiar with FME to explore new applications.
PERC continues to publish and present a broad range of research and discussion through podcasts, videos, and other multimedia channels.