[donatj]

If you actual had a vested interest to protect something though it would be more likely to actually end up protected.

[themartorana]

Or the polluting company with deep pockets would just buy the land and do whatever they wanted.

An unregulated free market is a terrible idea. It ends in massive monopolies and natural resource destruction at an absolute level.

It's not a bad thing that that's what a free market moves towards, per se, but that's why it needs to be and is regulated. Any worthwhile conversation isn't about whether or not to regulate it, it's a what level.

[pixelcloud]

Or you sell the right to abuse the land or waterways. Then turn around and when all the clean water is gone, purify it and sell it!

[geon]

Carbon rights?

[azinman2]

Doesn't sound very appealing for next quarters profits, the true driver of all decisions.