Problem zanieczyszczenia i ochrony środowiska w teorii ekonomii dobrobytu

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie problemu zanieczyszczenia środowiska w świetle teorii ekonomii dobrobytu. Niezależnie od teoretycznych rozważań na temat funkcjonowania rynku, maksymalizacji dobrobytu oraz efektów zewnętrznych wskazano na konieczność interwencji państwa celem eliminacji negatywnych skutków zanieczyszczeń. Opisano także sposoby internalizacji efektów zewnętrznych jako jeden z możliwych sposobów maksymalizacji dobrobytu.

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The main consideration of the following article is the influence of the environment' pollution onto welfare economics. The contamination of the environment causes negative! externalities what is the main reason of the market inefficiency in allocative natural resources. According to the author, lack of the best Pareto efficiency of natural resources prevents society from access to maximum welfare. There must be internalization of the efficiency arising from externalities so as to let market provide society with the highest welfare level. Four manners of internalization of the efficiency arising from externalities are known: 1) the expenses are charged to a polluter, 2) the contamination cost is paid by both a polluter and a victim, 3) the cost is paid by a victim only, 4) the expenses are charged to the government. There are various steps by which government can internalize the efficiencies arising from externalities. The best ways are market-like methods of regulation and particularly Pigou tax. There may be used also other manners limiting the production of pollution. These solutions may lead to maximum social welfare.