Discussion 1: Externalities And The Environment

Discussion 1: Externalities and the Environment
Analyze the externalities concerning optimal levels of pollution and make at least one recommendation for the most economically viable way to proceed over the next 20 years. Explain your rationale
It is not possible to have completely zero levels of pollution. Therefore there always has to be a level of pollution that is economically tolerable. With evolution of industries and many other pollution avenues, there is no way that we can have a pollution free environment. An optimal level of pollution is the maximum level of pollution that can maintain a sustainable environment (Hussen, 2004). Since pollution is necessary for everyone to survive then we get the externalities from pollution by going

The net benefits at this level to the society will be minimized. The resulting level of pollution will be optimal if the pollution externalities are accounted for. The recommendation for the most economically viable way to proceed over the next twenty years is for the government to subsidize the costs of minimizing pollution across all levels so that more firms will be encouraged to produce optimal levels of pollution and does not transfer the negative externalities to the society.
Identify a requirement of the Environment Protection Agency and discuss whether or not you believe it is effective
The Environment Protection Agency was created to protect human health, and the environment following laws passed by the United States Congress. The Clean Water Act (CWA) is requirement that compels all pollutant discharges to surface waters such as lakes and rivers be authorized by a permit that is issued by the National Discharge Elimination System program. This requirement is effective because it ensures that only permitted levels of effluent are discharged in water sources. This minimizes pollution and ensures that optimal levels of pollution are carried out by industries and individuals.
Discussion 2: Income distribution and

Income is still poorly distributed with very few people receiving high incomes. Income redistribution involves the transfer of income from individuals with higher income to individuals with low income. Current income redistribution programs include taxation whereby those with higher income are taxed more than those with a low income. The government also redistributes income by directly transferring money and services to the poor. Restricting competition among producers is also another program. Other redistribution programs include restricting competition among producers, restrictions on imports, and provision of social security. Overall, these programs hurt the economy. Restricting competition among producers for instance only increases wealth and income to organized producer groups and does not benefit the consumers. (Econlib.org, 2015). Import restrictions also transfer wealth from the consumers to producers and the ones who receive the transfers are wealthier than those paying for them.
Use the Internet to find and research contributing factors to poverty in your city or state then discuss the contributing factors to poverty in your area and possible economic policies that could be pursued to redress the issue. Provide specific examples to support your