(Read from the bottom up)
Dear J:
In our current statist world, we’d have carbon taxes, and subsidies for air, wind, water power.
In the an cap world, assuming this nonsense to be true, we’d be way more draconian: we’d treat anyone who warms the earth like a criminal. Put him in jail. Throw away the key.
Here’s the best article ever written on this sort of thing:
Rothbard, Murray N. 1982. "Law, Property Rights, and Air Pollution," Cato Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1, Spring; reprinted in Block, Walter E. Ed. Economics and the Environment: A Reconciliation, Vancouver: The Fraser Institute, 1990, pp. 233-279; http://mises.org/story/2120; http://www.mises.org/rothbard/lawproperty.pdf; https://mises.org/library/law-property-rights-and-air-pollution-0
Best regards,
Walter
Walter E. Block, Ph.D.
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics
Loyola University New Orleans
6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 15, Miller Hall 318
New Orleans, LA 70118
Skype: Walter.Block4
tel: (504) 864-7934
From: J
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2019 2:29 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re:
I forgot to mention this part:
My friend is convinced if nothing is done to prevent global warming, ultimately the oceans will be destroyed and then so will most of humanity. I’m sure you’ve encountered people like this. True believers in climate change.
On Sat, 26 Jan 2019 11:57:21 -0800 (PST), “JW” wrote:
Hello Dr. Block,
Thank you very much for your recent help on the evictionism issue
I have a libertarian question I would greatly appreciate your help with.
I have converted a friend to anarcho-capitalism, except for one issue:
climate change.
If we assume he is right for the sake of argument, what do you think
could/should be done about it in:
1) our current statist world
and
2) in an anarcho-capitalist world
In 1), my friend thinks carbon taxes are the best/only realistic
solution. He doesn’t think regulations or geoengineering are good answers
for various reasons. I’ve suggested tax credits for spending on
“alternative energies”, as well as the Rothbardian property rights
lawsuit approach.
In 2), it seems like the Rothbardian property rights lawsuit approach
(and normal free market entrepreneurialism, inventions, etc.) is the main
solution, as you discuss so well here, correct?
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2012/01/walter-e-block/global-warming-air-pollution-and-libertarianism/
This article supports that view, as well:
Any thoughts on what to do about climate change (assuming it’s a major
threat to humanity) in our current world and a stateless world would be
greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
J
PS. I donated money for the publication of “Rothbard A-Z” and my name is
listed as a donor. That’s probably as close to libertarian fame as I will
get. 🙂
3:32 pm on May 6, 2019
