3 Free Market Solutions to Environmental Issues to Consider

When it comes to protecting the planet and slowing climate change, the loudest voices are often those reliant on big government policies that stifle the economy and hurt the pocketbooks of the American people. But recently, groups of conservative and free market thinkers — including some leading Republicans in Congress — have been vocal about offering innovative, free-market solutions that everyone can support. 

The bipartisan answer lies in preserving economic freedom, free markets, increasing innovation, modernizing energy infrastructure and implementing natural solutions that can make a long-term difference. Here are just a few reasons why some of these ideas are critical  for the long-term protection of the environment: 

1. More economic freedom creates a cleaner environment. The Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom found that the freest countries in the world score significantly higher in environmental performance indicators. The reason being that  when people are living in poverty, they rarely have the luxury of worrying about the environment. In places where there is more money available to individuals, they can prioritize environmental issues by choosing to purchase and promote products and practices that contribute to earth care.

2. More free trade policies will help the earth. A competitive global market forces producers to innovate and choose their resources wisely. Importing goods frees up time and money to prioritize environmental issues. And though some oppose free trade specifically for environmental reasons (due to things like air pollution), energy economist Nick Loris says these opponents often overlook the benefits like “such as greater wealth for environmental protection and the voluntary exchange of clear technologies.” The Index of Economic Freedom reports much higher scores on the environmental index for those countries that embrace more free trade.

3. Ease the strain on clean energy projects. The National Environmental Policy Act was created in 1970 to promote and establish projects that protect and enhance the environment. Since then, it has turned into that delays projects for years — or kills them entirely due to the burdensome and costly process. It’s time to remove the onerous regulations that prevent innovative clean energy projects from moving forward in a timely manner. 

There is bipartisan concern for the environment. While costly policies like the Green New Deal, which would cost at least $51 trillion over the next 10 years, may gain support from the Left, it will not see support from those on the Right. By cultivating policies that prioritize people, the economy and the environment, can make progress that will last.