Natural Resources and Environmental Restrictions to Growth

In 1952, the Paley Commission, the President's Materials Policy Committee, published its report, "Resources for Freedom". The report said nothing about the environment or the desirability of protecting the environment in the course of meeting American materials requirements. We are no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Challenge (White Plains) 1978-01, Vol.20 (6), p.14-21
Main Author: Mason, Edward S.
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Ecology
Economic costs
Economic growth
Energy resources
Energy shortages
Environment
Environmental protection
Gross national product
Materials
Natural resources
Protection
Public goods
Raw materials
Sustainable agriculture
Unit costs
Water pollution
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Summary:In 1952, the Paley Commission, the President's Materials Policy Committee, published its report, "Resources for Freedom". The report said nothing about the environment or the desirability of protecting the environment in the course of meeting American materials requirements. We are not facing scarcities of industrial materials. There is a difficult choice in striking a balance between growth and environmental protection. Although economies of scale still have relevance for certain types of public goods, primary attention has shifted to the problem of congestion. A striking feature of the energy situation is that, while we are confronted with impending shortages of highly convenient sources (oil and gas), there are no practical limits to alternative supplies (coal, nuclear power, and other sources) which can be made available over time, perhaps with no considerable increase in real costs.
ISSN:0577-5132
1558-1489
DOI:10.1080/05775132.1978.11470373