Protecting the environment

Abstract

The term ‘environment’ extends our earlier concept of land (p. 84) to include the sea and the atmosphere. As such it provides a flow of goods and services:

• (a) materials (such as soil, minerals and timber) and energy (from fossil fuels, tides and wind);

• (b) space, to produce food, erect buildings, develop communications and provide for sporting activities;

• (c) the ‘natural world’, a consumer good in that it affords utility directly for walking, holidays, safaris, nature study or just enjoyment of peaceful surroundings;

• (d) a ‘sink’ for waste products.