Why is it important ?
Market price usually does not reflect the true cost of economic activities. Environmental and social burdens are externalized, so when consumers purchase goods and services, their choices aren't informed by important consequences of their decisions.
Internalizing these burdens will allow market forces to assist rather than undermine environmental protection.
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What needs to be done?
Tax waste, not work. Tax shifts should be encouraged that penalize inefficiency and waste, and encourage investment. labor and savings.
Polluter pays policies should be developed and implemented. As a specific example, pesticide registration fees should be increased dramatically to reflect the health costs they incur and the administrative costs to government they create.
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Who is working on it?
American Planning Association
CA Tax Reform Assoc
Center for a Sustainable Economy
Center on WI Strategy
Clean Water Fund of TX
EcoVenture
Friends of the Earth
Nat Conference of State Legislatures
NW Env Watch-BC
Redefining Progress
Regulatory Assistance Project
Tellus Institute
TX Center for Policy Studies
VT Businesses for Social Responsibility
VT Natural Resources Council
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