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The exploitation of natural resources has lead to environmental degradation on the one hand and the increase of wealth on the other hand.
Whilst there are simple means for estimating the increase in wealth, the costs of obtaining this wealth, in terms of pollution and damage to the environment are more difficult to estimate.
If the costs to the environment are taken into account in some way, so that those who reap the benefits of exploiting natural resources pay for the privilege, it is possible to obtain a greater degree of environmental justice. The idea of environmental justice is that our common resources are used in a way that if fair for all, as the environment is in one way or another of interest to us all (whether you want to save it or exploit it).
Natural resources earn what is known in economics as economic rent, which is essentially unearned income. By capturing this unearned income for the benefit of those who create it - the community - the environmental costs are internalised. That is to say, the costs of obtaining wealth, that were previously obtained at the expense of the community are now paid for.
The theory that underpins this is long established and accepted across many different schools of thought. The Henry George Foundation is committed to exploring ways in which this can be realised in practice.
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The Science 
