How much do governments spend on conservation?

[Arizona Docent]

Happened to run across this new United States Tax Calculator put out by our federal government. It lets US citizens see how their tax dollars are spent. No need to fill in the amounts - just look at the percentages shown for the breakdown of how it goes.

Bottom Line - Here's where your tax dollars are going

Rounding off, the United States spends 25% of the federal budget on military/defense and 2% on natural resources and the environment. No matter what your political affiliation, I think just about everyone on this forum would agree that things are totally out of wack.

I am curious, does anyone have the stats for these two categories from other countries?

 

[gerenuk]

Its important to mention that a lot of funding for natural resources and the environment in the US also come from other sources (excise taxes, profits from oil/gas leases, etc.). The tax calculator is interesting, but it may not be an accurate picture of total federal spending.

 

[snowleopard]

The United States spends 25% of the federal budget on military/defense and 2% on natural resources and the environment. No matter what your political affiliation, I think just about everyone on this forum would agree that things are totally out of wack.

I am curious, does anyone have the stats for these two categories from other countries?[/QUOTE]

One fact that taken in context with the United States statistic is quite astonishing is that the tiny nation of Costa Rica disbanded its army in 1949 and other than a tiny police force has had basically zero soldiers/guards/military civilians for more than 60 years. Also, approximately 5% of the world's biodiversity is found in that nation and a lot of federal funds are set aside for the preservation of the environment as tourism has become a major driving factor for the Costa Rican economy.

 

[NZ Jeremy]

It comes back to an argument on what you think the purpose of government is. Every one from Libertarians to Communists agree that the state should fund protection from external and internal force (i.e. other nations and agression/theft toward peaceful citizens from other citizens).

That said everyone agrees that the legitimate functions of government are; Police, Courts, Civil Defence, Prisons and Armed Forces. Making National Defence a core function of government and conservation by government up for debate.