Környezetköltsége

Környezetköltsége, a Hungarian term, translates to "environmental cost" in English. It encompasses the negative impacts that economic activities have on the natural environment. These costs are often not fully reflected in the market prices of goods and services, leading to a situation where the polluter does not bear the full burden of their actions.

Environmental costs can manifest in various forms. They include the depletion of natural resources such as water, minerals, and forests. Pollution of air, water, and soil is another significant category, leading to health problems for humans and damage to ecosystems. Biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and climate change are also substantial environmental costs.

These costs can be direct, such as the expenses incurred in cleaning up pollution, or indirect, like the loss of ecosystem services such as pollination or water purification. They can also be long-term, with the effects of environmental degradation lasting for generations.

Understanding and internalizing environmental costs is crucial for achieving sustainable development. This involves incorporating these hidden costs into economic decision-making through mechanisms like environmental taxes, cap-and-trade systems, or regulations. By making the true cost of production and consumption more apparent, societies can incentivize more environmentally friendly practices and mitigate the damage to the planet.