A look at legal instrumentalism
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8 reasons why water is not the next gold
By Chris Corbin I’ve noticed an increasing trend in what I call “Water is the Next Gold” articles. On some level, I couldn’t agree more – hence, my career choice. Although, as someone actively engaged in the western water market, I can easily name 8 reasons why water is not the next gold. 1. GoldContinue reading “8 reasons why water is not the next gold”
Assessing Endangered Species Science
Last Thursday, at a congressional hearing, Assistant U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Gary Frazer said that the Interior Department’s Office of Science Integrity would conduct an independent evaluation of the work of FWS biologists accused by a federal judge of being dishonest with the court and acting in ’”bad faith.” As the Los Angeles Times reports, Frazer said theContinue reading “Assessing Endangered Species Science”
Endangered species and the roles of science and policy
Whether a given species is at risk of extinction may be a scientific question, but what to do about it is not. What conservation measures should be adopted to address such threats, and at what cost, are policy
questions, says Jonathan Adler
A model on a mission
Congrats to PERC enviropreneur, Summer Rayne Oakes, for winning the 2011 Cartier Women’s Initiative Award in Deauville, France for her new business Source4Style. On Wed, October 12th Benita and I gave our 30-minute oral presentation for Source4Style. Jury members deliberated that evening. And this past Friday, winners were announced for each region during the Women’s Forum. WhenContinue reading “A model on a mission”
Property Rights Saving Wildlife in Namibia
For an interesting example of how property rights can turn environmental liabilities into profitable assets, check out To Save Wildlife, Namibia’s Farmers Take Control by Christopher Joyce. The NPR article documents how local ownership of wildlife resources has created an incentive for stewardship in the Namibian bush. In 1996 the Namibian government granted the rightContinue reading “Property Rights Saving Wildlife in Namibia”
State Parks: When in Doubt, Bail ’em Out
Amid the state’s budget crisis last spring, California’s governor threatened to close more than 70 state parks by the spring of 2012 to save the state money. This threat of park closure is a common occurrence in California and other states. Typically, the threat garners enough concern and uproar that funds are found. In fact,Continue reading “State Parks: When in Doubt, Bail ’em Out”
Jonathan Adler appointed PERC Senior Fellow
PERC is pleased to welcome Jonathan Adler to its team. Jonathan is Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Business Law & Regulation at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He has a proven track record of skillfully applying markets and property rights to environmental issues. Jonathan will add significant value to the advancement ofContinue reading “Jonathan Adler appointed PERC Senior Fellow”
Don’t kill bears for acting like bears
Finding a man’s body in Yellowstone the day after he was killed by a grizzly is not a pretty sight. And certainly, it is a tragedy, writes PERC research assistant Brennan Jorgensen, “but so is tracking down and killing a wild animal in its own territory.” Jorgensen points out that more than $24 million dollars have gone toward grizzly recovery efforts in the greater Yellowstone area, but nowContinue reading “Don’t kill bears for acting like bears”
The Leaky Ark
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted in 1973 and today is viewed as the most powerful environmental law in the nation as well as one of the most controversial.
“Decoupling” the listing decision how the species should be protected how it should be protected could
allow more creative measures tailored the needs ad and circumstances of each species.