What you are describing is exactly what has been happening, and it is not working. We've abandoned the traditional role of government in solving these collectiv

What you are describing is exactly what has been happening, and it is not working. We've abandoned the traditional role of government in solving these collective action problems in favor of empowering the rich to solve these problems through foundations and NGOs. Government funding for research and conservation projects is at an all time low while those with the means fund their own pet projects. This is both inefficient (because these people aren't necessarily experts or choosing to fund the right experts) and it is undemocratic.