What conclusions can we draw about the effects of policies geared towards environmental protection on a nation's economy? Environmental protection has cost countless jobs in the U.S. Unselected Public policies geared towards protecting the environment work, but they are currently too expensive to implement. Unselected Environmental protection is almost cost-free, and concerns about the economy are overblown. Unselected A free-market economy simply cannot exist alongside environmental protection policies. Unselected Environmental protection is good for the economy; environmental public policy is responsible for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable environment. This viewpoint recognizes that poor people tend to be exposed to a greater share of pollution, hazards, and environmental degradation than are richer people