SustainabilityVega-Gordilio and Alvarez-Arce (2003) state that economic freedoms exist under the following conditions: goods acquired without the use of force, fraud, or theft are protected physical invasions of others. Economic freedoms exist when individuals are free to use, exchange, or give their property to others as long as their actions do not violate the identical rights of others (Vega-Gordilio & Alvarez-Arce, 2003). Environmental laws are established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which works with government, federal and other agencies to impose limits on individuals and organizations to protect the environment, endangered species and others from harm. damage (Coons, 2009). The United States is a capitalist society and has the highest gross domestic product among developed countries (World Bank, 2010). Citizens have the right (freedom) to manufacture, trade and/or/obtain consumer goods and services as long as their activities are legal. An example of illegal capitalism would be the production and cultivation of marijuana for illegal sale. The United States is a very individualistic society compared to other countries. As such, it is a society that has loose attachments with others; are autonomous; act with an individualistic attitude and take care of oneself and close family members. Individualistic cultures like those in the United States are more self-centered and primarily emphasize their individual goals (Itim International, n.d.). An individual's goals imply that unless some sort of constraint is placed on such societies, increased production and reckless use of resources and profits will continue, regardless of the impact on the environment. ...... middle of paper... ...being green pays off. The United States Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2008-05-20-green-companies_N.htm Meyer, S. M. (2002). The economic impact of environmental regulations. Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/polisci/mpepp/Reports/eier.pdfÖzler, S. and Obach, B. (2009). Capitalism, state economic policy and ecological footprint: an international comparative analysis. Global Environmental Policy, 9(1), 79-1089(1), 79-108. Retrieved from doi:10.1162/glep.2009.9.1.79Smith, FL, Jr and Jeffreys, K. (nd). A free market environmental vision. Retrieved from http://www.cato.org/pubs/chapters/marlib23.htmlVega-Gordilio, M. and Alvarez-Arce, J. (2003). Economic growth and freedom: a study of causality. Cato Journal, 23(2), 199-215. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.edmc. edu/docview/195592990?account id=34899