ABSTRACT
There is a persistent myth that cleaning up the environment and protecting the earth hurt the economy. This chapter looks at some studies that examine the overall, general impact of environmental protection on the economy, and then explores some studies addressing more specific questions, such as the impact of pollution reduction on competitiveness, profitability, industrial flight, and employment. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) study reports that total spending on pollution abatement and control, both public and private, in most member countries has grown since the 1980s. It is often asserted that environmental protection reduces the competitiveness of businesses and industries. The most contentious of all our environmental laws is, of course, the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The chapter considers the specific provisions of this act and suggests ways of improving it in the discussion of biodiversity.
