Government's role in polution and emissions

[bill1971]

I am very much for keeping govt out of our lives, but the one thing I do wonder about is would polution get worse without any govt rules? What would prevent some companies from making waste and dumping it where they please? I can never agrue that well againts govt intervention on this area. Any tips?

[hugolp]

First, government is the biggest poluter, more than any other corporation.

Second, pollution should be handled throught environmental private property rights, which the government is denying right now allowing corporations to pollute. Google "free market environmentalism" if you want to know more. Also, Mary Ruwart has written articles and books about it.

Hope that puts you on track.

[Zippyjuan]

If there are no pollution laws, you cannot sue a company for polluting your property. Air is common property- how do you treat air pollution? What about water? You also have to have the resources to be able to fight a corporation (or neighbor) in court. Individuals don't usually have the financial resources to fight companies in court.

[oyarde]

Any laws of that nature are up to the states , not the Federal govt.

[Elwar]

Where would these companies be dumping the pollution? Would it end up on someone else's private property?

Back before the EPA and during the days of private detectives there was a movement toward private pollution detectives. People who were noticing pollution on their properties or affecting them would hire these detectives who would then trace the pollution to the source, gather evidence and then sue for damages.

Then the EPA came in and made polluting legal.

[hugolp]

If there are no pollution laws, you cannot sue a company for polluting your property. Air is common property- how do you treat air pollution? What about water? You also have to have the resources to be able to fight a corporation (or neighbor) in court. Individuals don't usually have the financial resources to fight companies in court.

This are all very basic question that free market environmentalist have answered repeteadly. Google the term and read a bit about it. You will see how all those questions are answered. If you still have some doubts about some specific, come back and ask.