Although the UN’s recent World Summit on Sustainable Development looked set to become simply another opportunity for environmentalists and Europeans to trash the US, leaders of developing countries injected a healthy dose of reality. Rather than submitting to the West’s eco-imperialism, poor countries were able to retain their freedom to pursue economic development as they […]
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For more than a decade we’ve run a series of seminars for federal judges. We don’t teach law but rather explore contentious scientific issues with policy implications. Several hundred federal judges have come to Montana to learn about biotechnology, endangered species, climate change, and energy policy, for example. Whatever the topic, ethical concerns always emerge. […]
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Dear President Bush: Our industry is suffering from unfair competition from a foreign rival. His productivity is far superior and his labor costs much lower than ours. As a result, he is flooding the U.S. market with goods at very low prices. If you don’t take action, he’ll soon attract all our customers, our sales […]
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Here is the key to America. If born here, it’s as though you’ve won the lottery. You’ve had the opportunity to be part of the most successful large-scale social experiment ever. Then what? Two things. First, act legally and ethically to make the best of your circumstances. Second, work to preserve this undeserved blessing. This […]
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People don’t easily forget a breach of trust. Recent reports from Wall Street and the world of high finance regarding Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Anderson have generated a huge amount of talk, news, and indictments. Those of us resolutely residing in the bucolic simplicity of the Northwest aren’t much affected by big-league shenanigans, except perhaps […]
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President Bush has just proposed a “healthy forests initiative” aimed at reducing the fire hazard on national forest lands. This calls for thinning 2.5 million acres of national forests a year for the next ten years. The total cost could exceed $100 billion. Mr. Bush proposes to expedite this process by exempting it from environmental […]
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I’ve always appreciated wind power. While growing up, both Ramona and I had windmills on our home places; Ramona’s pumped water and generated electricity. And we recently installed a small wind-powered pump on our ranch. Now I see an important educational opportunity. It compellingly demonstrates the importance and ubiquity of trade-offs. No honest, responsible Green […]
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There’s general consensus in the scientific community that global average temperatures are rising. It’s also generally agreed that increased carbon dioxide is a major factor. However, there’s still a great deal of uncertainty about the amount of warming and its expected ecological and economic effects. Because of CO2’s prominent role in warming (i.e., it remains […]
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Montana’s state seal proclaims “oro y plata,” gold and silver. This reflects our past. The Treasure State historically exported these commodities. Sadly, in the new economy our most valuable exports are well-educated people with strong character and high IQs. While it made sense to export precious metals and minerals, wood and wool, it’s definitely a […]
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Each summer the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE) organizes and hosts a series of seminars. This year MSU has joined us as cosponsor. These programs attract some of the nation’s most respected and influential opinion leaders and decision makers. Lecturers include professors from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley. MSU speakers have […]
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