Unintended Consequences

 

The Law of Unintended Consequences posits that each and every purposeful act leads to results which are unintended and unforeseen, apart from those which were intended. Often these consequences are negative or even in opposition to the act which produced them. You hear about this Law often in regard to legislation. It turns out that the Clean Air Act of 1970 and subsequent related laws were subject to the Law of Unintended Consequences. But in this cases, the consequences turned out to be wonderfully positive.

Air pollution has numerous well documented ill effects on humans. It is estimated that 16% of all deaths, worldwide, are directly or indirectly related to pollution. Air pollution contributes to myriad health problems and medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, liver and blood diseases, headaches, anxiety, eye/nose/throat irritation, breathing conditions such as asthma, nervous system disorders, lung cancer, problems of the reproductive system, and other chronic and long-term diseases. 

The animals with whom we share the earth are similarly affected. 

A study by researchers at Cornell University and the University of Oregon, Eugene, estimates that the clean air legislation of the past 40 years has saved the lives of 20% of all birdlife in the United States. A total of about 1.5 billion birds. The rules not only protected our feathered friends directly, but also contributed to healthier  plants and larger populations of the insects upon which the birds feed.

“Our research shows that the benefits of environmental regulation have likely been underestimated,” says Ivan Rudik, the study’s lead author and Ruth and William Morgan Assistant Professor at Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. “Reducing pollution has positive impacts in unexpected places."

It seems as though every now and then Murphy calls one in our favor.