Description
Book SynopsisOne of the founders of environmental economics clearly and passionately demonstrates that the only way to achieve long-term economic growth is to protect our environment. After painting a stark picture of our current state, Geoffrey Heal outlines simple solutions that have already proven effective in conserving nature and boosting economic growth.
Trade ReviewIn this passionate and readable book, Heal sets out the measures needed to reconcile economic progress with preservation of the planet. They are surprisingly simple and attainable. Heal demonstrates that there is not a trade-off between growth and environmental protection, but that they can and must go hand-and-hand, that growth is not attainable over the long run without protecting the environment. -- Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics A hostile environment can derail economic development, and a distorted economy-where producers and consumers inflict deep environmental damage at little cost-can cause a profoundly hostile environment. But good policy can foster strong and sustainable economic progress and protect and restore our fragile ecosystems. That is the clear, compelling argument Geoff Heal has done so much to create, and which he sets out so persuasively and accessibly in this very important book. -- Nicholas Stern, London School of Economics Endangered Economies is a remarkable overview of how we should protect the planet to protect our prosperity. We could not have a better guide through this complex set of issues. Geoffrey Heal is a brilliant economist, a world-leading pioneer of sustainable development, and a remarkably experienced and perceptive policy analyst. Readers will gain deep insights from Heal's wise discussion of the world's most vital environmental challenges: climate change, biodiversity, fisheries, clean air and water, and the proper measurement and management of the economy. This is indispensable reading. -- Jeffrey D. Sachs, author of The Age of Sustainble Development Told as a story of discovery and the evolution of his own thinking, Geoffrey Heal's book makes difficult conceptual arguments transparent. He uses examples to illustrate the key issues in environmental economics. In so doing, he demonstrates why an understanding of the consequences of all production and consumption processes for environmental resources must be an essential part of any description of economic activities. -- V. Kerry Smith, Arizona State University, University Fellow, Resources for the Future He crafts an excellent overview of the economic case for protecting the environment. Foreign Affairs
Table of ContentsPreface 1. Environment and Economy-No Conflict 2. Market Mistakes and How Unpaid-for External Effects Are Killing Us 3. Climate Change: "The Greatest External Effect in Human History" 4. How to Deal with External Effects 5. Solving the Climate Problem 6. Everyone's Property Is No One's Property 7. Natural Capital: Taken for Granted but Not Counted 8. Valuing Natural Capital 9. Measuring What Matters 10. The Next Steps Notes Index
