Question

Imagine that a company is planning to build a new factory in your region that will provide hundreds of well-paid jobs, but will cause minor amounts of air pollution within a two-mile radius. Answer the following questions: How would you rate your support for the factory if you lived 50 miles away from its planned location? How would you rate your support for the factory if you only lived one mile away from its planned location? Explain any differences between your answers.

Answer 1

I'm aware that well-paying jobs would be beneficial to a large number of people, and a tiny bit of air pollution in a restricted region seems like a modest price to pay for employment opportunities. Therefore, if I lived 50 miles away from the proposed industrial location, I would be in favor of the project. However, if I merely lived a mile from the proposed facility, I could be concerned due to potential negative health consequences, offensive odors, and a likely drop in property values. If I merely lived a mile from the factory's proposed location, I would oppose it in light of these worries.