The needs of environmentalists and job providers are often viewed on opposite ends of the political spectrum. However, the movement towards “free-market environmentalism” indicates a growing desire to have the two sides co-exist and even prosper.

Basically, free-market environmentalists believe that markets can do much more to protect the environment than government regulations or bureaucracy. Clean air, clear water, and bountiful forests benefit both environmentalists and capitalists. However, free-market environmentalists believe that government centralized tools such as subsidies, bureaucracy, and regulation do not work as well in solving environmental dilemmas as decentralized methods such as incentives, user fees, and markets.

The following resources serve as great introductions to free-market environmentalism:

Heartland Institute on the Environment

www.heartland.org/IssueSuites.cfm?issId=2

Heartland's Environment Area contains more than 1,000 studies and commentaries relating to common-sense environmentalism, which relies on sound science and free markets.

Competitive Enterprise Institute

www.cei.org/sections/section1.cfm

Competitive Enterprise Institute is an environmental think tank that focuses on the development and promotion of free market approaches to environmental policy. The organization’s research and articles on this subject is consolidated in one place.

Political Economy Research Center (PERC)

www.perc.org

PERC is considered a pioneer of free-market environmentalism. The site is constantly updated with new reports, most recently, a report card on the Bush Administration's environmental policy.

Cato Institute Environmental Resources

www.cato.org/research/nat-studies/index.html

Cato's environment and climate studies provide information promoting policies that protect the environment without sacrificing economic factors. The resource includes entire studies and commentaries on topics such as global warming, public lands management, property rights, environmental law, pollution, energy policy, and government funded research and development.

CSE FreedomWorks

http://www.freedomworks.org/informed/key_template.php?issue_it=8key_template.php?issue_it=8 

Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) supports a free-market approach to environmental protection and provides a nice issue portal that includes all of their publications related to this subject. Although not updated as often as other sites, this resource is a great place to find background information and research, as well as case studies on companies that have been affected by various environmental policies.

The Heritage Foundation

http://www.heritage.org/Research/EnergyandEnvironment/index.cfmEnergyandEnvironment/index.cfm 

This well-known conservative think tank encourages lawmakers to implement “a long-term energy plan that balances supply and demand, ensures reliable and affordable supplies of energy for the future, and provides responsible stewardship of the nation's resources.” The website provides facts and figures, talking points and recommendations.

National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA)

www.ncpa.org/pi/enviro

NCPA provides more background information and other relevant links on free-market environmentalism. The best feature of this site is how it is categorized, making it easy to find related articles and reports on subjects such as endangered species, water, energy, public lands and waste disposal.

Ecoworld

www.ecoworld.com

This site focuses on environmental problems and solutions, while providing free-market theme throughout. Free markets, technology, and voluntary efforts are embraced, and the site features advice for profitable eco-friendly undertakings.

New Environmentalism Project

www.newenvironmentalism.org/links.html  

A project of Reason Public Policy Institute, “New Environmentalism” identifies and promotes innovative approaches to addressing serious environmental challenges and creating a society of self-motivated environmental stewards. There are many links to organizations that promote local solutions and market approaches to environmental problems.

AWB’s Environmental Resources

www.awb.org/environment/index.asp

The Association of Washington Business’ own environmental section provides a more local perspective on policy matters as they affect job providers across the state. The latest environment-related news and resources can be found here, as well as details on actions being taken by AWB to help businesses.