Environmental Valuation and Its Economic Critics
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 126, Issue 6
Abstract
In the last few decades economists have devoted significant professional attention to developing and applying methods to place monetary values on environmental services. This paper summarizes the criticisms from within the economics profession of the environmental valuation research program. Generally, the critics question whether meaningful benefit estimates can be made for environmental services and, if made, whether the estimates are acceptable guides to making environmental policy. We conclude by noting that the debate over the “value of valuation” in water resources will not subside, because this debate is part of a wider intellectual dialogue regarding the role of analysts and quantification in the making of public policy.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 126 • Issue 6 • December 2000
Pages: 382 - 388
History
Received: Jun 14, 2000
Published online: Dec 1, 2000
Published in print: Dec 2000
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