The Washington Examiner has an editorial today titled “Environmentalism is not about the Environment.”  Indeed.  The title says it all.  When most Americans say they are environmentalists, they express the simple desire for clean air, clean water, and an appreciation for wildlife.  But today’s environmental movement is much more focused on expanding government controls and bureaucracy than anything else.  Much of what they advocate unnecessary and needlessly expensive.  The impact on freedom and the economy is far greater than most people realize.  If you doubt that, check out CEI’s research here and here on the topic.  We have also shown that markets are better than the government in providing environmental amenities.  If environmentalists are serious about protecting the environment, they’d begin to advocate free-market environmentalism rather than more government and bureaucracy.