Capitalism and Environment

I need to laugh
And when the sun is out
I've got something I can laugh about
--The Beatles

As observed here, the notion that capitalism destroys the environment is mistaken. In dirt poor countries, people scratch out enough resources each day to survive. If that means dirtying the environment to do so, then it will occur.

As affluence increases via capitalism, more resources are available for environmental quality. Moreover, buyers in the market will demand cleaner water, air, etc. as they become more prosperous.

The relationship between wealth and environmental quality is straightforward to explain in theory and overwhelming in empirical evidence.