Problem
Inadequate evaluation of environmental costs
Other Names:
Ignoring environmental externalities Nature:
Environmental costs arise either through the damage done as a consequence of resource exploitation or through the effort expended to redress the damage. Damage costs may also be imposed in the process of development, through the destruction of certain types of renewable resources such as: large-scale loss of tropical forests, soil degradation due to salinization, and imperfect cultivation of sub-marginal lands.
Incidence:
Some 30 million square kilometres (19% of the earth's land surface) are threatened with desertification, and consequently with huge economic and human losses. From 1970-1980, the economic cost of pollution damage in developed countries varied between 3 and 5% of GNP.
Broader Problems:
Ignoring evidenceDetachment from consequences of actionUnrecognized future financial commitmentsInadequacy of economic accounting systemsInadequate environmental impact assessmentNeglect of environmental consequences of government policies Narrower Problems:
Environmental consequences of warDubious energy budget of nuclear power plantsLack of full cost accounting of consumer productsDamage to cultural artefacts by environmental pollution Related Problems:
Economically inefficient regulations Aggravates:
Unintended consequencesUnsustainable economic developmentReluctance to impose pollution taxesFailure to apply polluter pays principleUntested efficacy of environmental policyUncertain environmental impact of current policyHidden environmental costs of economic production Values:
Inadequacy Subject(s):
Commerce → Purchasing, supplyingEnvironment → Environment
Research, Standards → Evaluation
Societal Problems → Inadequacy
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
13.05.2019 – 17:41 CEST