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Lam 2013, Reply to Stan Becker

Humans Versus Nonhumans

  • Lam: focus on humans

  • The average human in 2013 is better off than the average human in 1960

Nonsustainable Use of Resources

  • Becker: feeding extra 4 billion people = required extensive use of non-renewable resources

  • Aquifers - lack of property rights

  • Lam: we won’t run out of resources that have clear property rights (oil)

  • Market forces

  • Deforestation: solution = need institutional change

Valuing Future Generations

  • Becker: concerned about future generations

  • Lam: parents care

  • Humans did something remarkable

Humans Versus Nonhumans

  • Lam: focus on humans

  • The average human in 2013 is better off than the average human in 1960

Nonsustainable Use of Resources

  • Becker: feeding extra 4 billion people = required extensive use of non-renewable resources

  • Aquifers - lack of property rights

  • Lam: we won’t run out of resources that have clear property rights (oil)

  • Market forces

  • Deforestation: solution = need institutional change

Valuing Future Generations

  • Becker: concerned about future generations

  • Lam: parents care

  • Humans did something remarkable