Say It Loud, Brother!

Radley Balko has written a clear headed look at environmentalism and private property in Alternative Environmentalism: A Manifesto. The essence of the position is summed up with the idea of the Tragedy of the Commons: if something is owned by no one and can be used by anyone, then those who use it have no incentive to preserve it. The worry over that which is available to all is that the resource shall soon run out, so get some while the getting's good.

Please read the whole thing while I leave you with Radley's question that sums up the whole issue very nicely:

The best example of the tragedy of commons occurs in the oceans. Why is it that we regularly hear about how we're running out of various species of fish, but we're always well stocked with beef, pork and poultry?