Accomplished Quote by Barry Commoner
“What the new fertilizer technology has accomplished for the farmer is clear: more crop can be produced on less acreage than before. Since the cost of fertilizer, relative to the resultant gain in crop sales, is lower than that of any other economic input, and since the Land Bank pays the farmer for acreage not in crops, the new technology pays him well. The cost-in environmental degradation-is borne by his neighbors in town who find their water polluted. The new technology is an economic success-but only because it is an ecological failure.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Environmental Economics, 1970s, null
The fertilizer boosts yields and profit but shifts pollution to nearby communities, showing a trade‑off between economic gain and ecological harm.
In simple terms: Higher yields profit others but cause neighbor pollution.
Key Takeaway
Balance profit with environmental responsibility.
Themes
economics
environment
agriculture
externalities
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- farm planning
- policy making
- community health assessments
- corporate responsibility
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
tragedy of the commons
sustainable development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we internalize environmental costs?
- What policies can align profit with sustainability?
A Different Perspective
Economic success may mask hidden ecological costs.
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