Re: Air pollution and a case for government (long)
Two comments, one of which has nothing to do with your main hypothesis. The one that is relevant is the $.40 value that your consumer has place on others pollution..only a 20 cent discount from his own value. Robert Kennedy is ample proof that individuals care far less for others discomfort when it is inconevenient for themselves.
The non-relevant one is that younger people care more about pollution because they have longer to suffer from it. Young people suffer from a feeling of invincibility and long term risks are the furthest thing from their minds. (Look at the prevelance of tobacco use amongst teens. Cigarettes too noticeable by mom and dad? they move to tins).
The reason that you find youth rallying around green causes is because of their lack of understanding (because they havent been there yet) of the tradeoffs and personal costs of the causes they support.
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