Governments provide environmental protection to ensure that public services, such as clean air and water, are maintained for all citizens, addressing the free-rider problem where individuals benefit from these resources without contributing to their upkeep. By implementing regulations and policies, governments can incentivize collective responsibility and investment in sustainability efforts, preventing overexploitation and degradation of the environment.
In one to two sentences, explain why governments provide environmental protection. Include the concepts of public services and the free-rider problem in your answer.
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