Environmental risks and future generations: Criteria for public policy
This paper examines alternative normative approaches to the policy challenges posed by long-term environmental problems such as toxic and radioactive waste disposal, stratospheric ozone depletion, and climate change. The paper argues that cost-benefit analysis is limited in its ability to handle the issues of intergenerational equity and uncertainty that are intrinsic to such problems. Also considered is the precautionary principle, which holds that policies should seek to reduce threats to the welfare of future generations if the costs of doing so would not significantly reduce the subjective well-being of existing persons. Although the precautionary principle depends on an explicit value judgement, it yields a policy criterion that is operationally decisive under a wide array of circumstances.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- SEI; Stockholm Environment Inst. (Sweden)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 6721725
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-32993; CONF-9210256--1; ON: DE93004691
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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