Students interested in a classic exposition of the problem of environmental resources should read a celebrated paper:
Garrett Hardin (1968) ‘The Tragedy of the Commons’ Science, vol. 162, pp. 1243–8.
Assuming that this paper does not produce a sense of overwhelming hopelessness and that you still think solutions to the world's environmental problems are feasible, you might turn to some recent policy suggestions.
Two recent publications provide an ideal introduction to the way economic advisers to governments look at environmental issues. First read:
David Pearce (1988) ‘Economists Befriend the Earth’, New Scientist, 19 November, pp. 34–9.
Some of the ideas presented in this article are developed further in:
David Pearce et al. (1989) Blueprint for a Green Economy, Report written for the UK Department of the Environment, Earthscan Publications Ltd: London.
An excellent discussion of the case for pricing of pollution compared with direct regulation can be found in:
Wilfred Beckerman (1990) Pricing for Pollution, 2nd edn, Hobart Paper 66, Institute of Economic Affairs: London.
The same author has written a hard-hitting critique of the more apocalyptic schools of environmentalism in his (1995) book Small is Stupid: Blowing the Whistle on the Greens, Duckworth: London.
Stewart, R. B. (1992) ‘Models for Environmental Regulation’, Environmental Affairs, vol. 19, p. 555.
Finally, discussions of the problems encountered in particular industries can be found in the quarterly magazine Resources published by Resource for the Future, Washington DC. Articles can be found on industries as diverse as coal and fish, as well as investigations of more general problems such as acid rain and global warming.
