Question

Governments provide environmental protection because clean air, water, and similar benefits are public services that markets often underprovide. Without government action people could free-ride—enjoy the benefits without paying—so the government regulates and funds protection to ensure everyone gets them.
simplify this

Answer 1

Because clean air and water benefit everyone, people might not pay to protect them. So governments step in—making rules and spending money—so everyone gets those protections instead of free-riding.