Economists argue that the level of pollution should be
A) reduced completely to zero because by definition, it is a negative external effect.
B) ignored because it has always been present since the beginning of history.
C) reduced to the point where the marginal benefit of pollution reduction is equal to the marginal cost of pollution reduction to society.
D) best determined by elected officials who can speak on behalf of the public.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Economists advocate for reducing pollution to the point where the marginal benefit of reducing it is equal to the marginal cost of reducing it to society. This is because reducing pollution completely to zero may not be feasible or cost-effective, and ignoring it is not a solution as it has negative impacts on society and the environment. Elected officials can play a role in establishing policies to achieve this optimal level of pollution reduction, but it is ultimately up to economists to determine the appropriate balance between the costs and benefits of pollution reduction.

Economists Argue That the Level of Pollution Should Be