Valuing the Environment

Policy makers face the dilemma of what to do when the risks of environmental destruction can be averted only by policies that lower standards of living. By setting out a theory of how one can value the environment qualitatively, Raino Malnes offers a solution. He draws on the tradition of political philosophy to work out public policy guidelines on the basis of careful discussion of the moral dilemmas involved. Malnes tackles directly the problem of setting priorities that reflect the...
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Policy makers face the dilemma of what to do when the risks of environmental destruction can be averted only by policies that lower standards of living. By setting out a theory of how one can value the environment qualitatively, Raino Malnes offers a solution. He draws on the tradition of political philosophy to work out public policy guidelines on the basis of careful discussion of the moral dilemmas involved. Malnes tackles directly the problem of setting priorities that reflect the strength of human interests, the extent of environmental degradation and the need for hard-headed realism. A central issue of the book is the element of uncertainty that often exists in estimates of the environmental impact of human activities. The role of uncertainty is highlighted through a detailed analysis of climate policy and a discussion of environmental dilemmas involving conflict between generations. This work is intended for students of political theory, environmental policy and philosophy, and environmental policymakers.