Articles tagged with Environmental Economics
A new study reveals that citizens of poorer nations are equally concerned about environmental quality as their counterparts in rich nations. This challenges the long-held assumption that poverty-stricken countries prioritize basic needs over environmental protection.
The decline of world wetlands could compound global warming, releasing billions of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. Wetlands store 10-20% of Earth's terrestrial carbon and slow organic material decay.
The CSIRO report 'Fuel for thought' explores the challenges and opportunities in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. It suggests that Australia's fuel mix will include expanded use of diesel, gaseous fuels and hybrid electric vehicles to address economic risks associated with rising oil prices and climate change.
Two large environmental programs in China have shown success in balancing human needs with environmental conservation, converting cropland to forests and reducing soil erosion. The programs offer alternative livelihoods for farmers and promote global carbon sequestration, but face challenges that require local involvement and funding.
The RAND Corporation study finds that biomass resources and wind power have the greatest potential to contribute towards reaching the 25 x '25 goal, with significant investments needed in renewable energy technology. Meeting this goal would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower long-term oil prices.
John Todd's proposal outlines a four-stage recovery and development plan for Appalachia, using biological processes to restore degraded land and return atmospheric carbon to the soil. The plan aims to build a dynamic sustainable economic basis for lasting renewal and increase carbon storage in soils around the world.
The TEEB report presents a comprehensive economic case for conserving biodiversity, citing severe consequences if current decline continues. Economic valuation studies show that the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services has significant human costs, particularly for the poor.
A University of Missouri researcher found that uniform and strict auditor enforcement is crucial for improving the quality of accounting, which in turn affects the global economy. The study suggests that countries with stronger investor protection and rigorous auditing have better financial reporting.
A new study by National Geographic Society reveals surprising differences in environmentally friendly actions among consumers worldwide. Consumers in India and Brazil topped the ranking, while US consumers scored lowest, highlighting the importance of individual consumer behavior in environmental sustainability.
The Leopold Leadership Fellowship program selects mid-career academic environmental scientists to develop scientific information into policy. The 2008 fellows were chosen for their research and leadership ability.
Gretchen Daily, a Stanford University biologist, has been recognized by the Sophie Foundation for her groundbreaking work blending economics and ecology. Her research focuses on quantifying the economic value of ecosystems and promoting conservation through practical applications.
The sea otter's reintroduction is expected to reduce commercially valuable shellfish populations, including sea urchins and geoducks. However, this loss could be mitigated by the creation of alternative fisheries for species such as lingcod, rockfish, and herring.
A new study by Conservation International and the University of Vermont reveals that conserving biodiversity also protects essential ecosystem services like fresh water, food, and carbon storage. The report estimates the annual value of these services to be over $33 trillion.
Research by Albert Bandura highlights how disguising environmentally harmful practices can have a negative impact on the environment and quality of life. He argues that we must switch on our environmental conscience to save the world from ecological degradation.
Research suggests that genetic factors influence women's choices about parenthood, and that this may lead to a shift towards more traditional family structures. Dr. Lonnie Aarssen argues that biological evolution will drive future generations of women towards having children as a priority.
The Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, a long-term research effort in the Amazon, is imperiled by SUFRAMA's colonization plan. The project, which has hosted hundreds of scientists, may lose its research sites and critical conservation areas.
The EU ETS has achieved its goal of limiting CO2 emissions and placed a price on carbon, with the value of traded volume estimated at €14.7 billion. A global framework for managing climate policy is required to address global greenhouse gas emissions.
McGill researchers found that societies with more unequal distributions of income experience greater losses of biodiversity. The study suggests a synergy between equitable wealth distribution and conservation of biological diversity.
The new BEES 4.0 software tool from NIST provides a comprehensive evaluation of environmentally preferred and cost-effective building products, including biobased options that can offset greenhouse gas emissions. The updated software offers improved data on over 200 products, with additional features for scoring environmental impact.
The World Wildlife Fund report reveals a significant growth in farmed salmon, leading to decreased wild salmon supply and economic impacts on fishermen. The study recommends harmonizing regulatory food safety standards and providing accurate information about salmon issues.
The Marine Aquaculture Task Force suggests strong environmental standards and funding for research and technology development. The industry's growth is expected to increase seafood demand, but it must be done in an environmentally responsible way.
A new study by Cornell professor Brian Wansink found that people make over 200 food-related decisions each day, largely driven by mindless autopilot. By changing the environment to work for them, individuals can reduce their eating habits and make healthier choices.
The ILTER network, with over 34 countries as members, will benefit from a joint management structure, ensuring sustainable support for environmental monitoring sites. Long-term data is crucial for understanding climate change, invasive species, and ecosystem health.
A study by Hans-Werner Sinn suggests that Germany's export boom is causing structural changes away from labor-intensive sectors towards capital-intensive export sectors, leading to high value-added exports but declining jobs. The country needs fundamental reforms to make its labor market more flexible.
A recent study by Matthew J. Kotchen found that green markets can crowd out private voluntary donations in sufficiently large economies. This is because consumers' willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly products can increase the level of giving, but also discourage direct donations to environmental causes.
A new study from Ohio State University suggests that pine plantations in the southern United States could be a significant contributor to rising carbon dioxide levels. The researchers estimate that up to 10 million acres of hardwood and natural pine forests will be converted to pine plantations by 2030, leading to increased carbon emis...
A new special issue of Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology examines the practical application and framework of eco-efficiency. Researchers used data envelopment analysis and maximum abatement cost method to quantify environmental impact, demonstrating progress in understanding the economy-environment tradeoff.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that land trusts' collective purchases can elevate land prices and displace development onto lands with high conservation value. Land trusts have invested billions of dollars in private land conservation, but must now factor in economic forces to pursue conservation responsibly.
A team of researchers from RIT and UD has developed a computer-based model to analyze the energy, environmental, and economic impacts of freight transportation along I-95. The tool will help decision-makers identify routes with the lowest environmental impacts and explore tradeoffs among shipping cost, time, and environmental effects.
A Pitt professor proposes using an ecological management system to evaluate nature's economic value, bridging economics and ecology. The approach considers ecosystem services like storm damage reduction and wetland maintenance, highlighting the gap between market and social values.
A study on rural families in Michigan explores the challenges faced by wage-earning women due to economic restructuring, highlighting the importance of addressing child care needs and increasing access to secure employment with benefits. The research emphasizes the need for new education delivery modes to empower these populations.
The report found a lack of data on landowner biodiversity policy, calling for new sources and incentives to promote sustainable forestry. Scientists also identified the need for annual tracking of large parcel transactions to ensure responsible stewardship.
Widespread badger culling may reduce TB incidence, but could also lead to increased movement and transmission. Culling's impact on TB rates is mixed, with some areas experiencing increases despite population reductions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of preparing health ministries for progressive liberalization of trade in health services. The WHO should continue to provide guidance on international standards and advice on trade rules from a public-health perspective.
The National Safety Council has released new economic tools to measure the impact of health and safety initiatives in workplaces worldwide. These models, including Productivity Assessment Tool and ROHSEI, integrate risk assessments, cost-benefit ratios, and decision-making to motivate business leaders to improve safety performance.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate program's Regional Resilience and Adaptation Program offers potential solutions to modern land-use practices. Students are trained to address issues of regional and global sustainability, recognizing both short- and long-term needs.
This special issue examines the role of consumption in shaping the environment, exploring its impact on water use, energy consumption, and product life spans. Researchers analyze household and global consumption patterns to better understand the pivotal role of consumption in environmental management.
Two scientists outline China's environmental impact on the world, including pollution, resource consumption, and human health dangers. They recommend education, environmental law enforcement, market tools, and lifestyle changes to address these issues.
PNNL's risk-based approach to cleanup standards reveals significant economic impacts overshadowing other effects, including recovery from radiological dispersion devices. The laboratory employs over 4,000 staff with a $650 million annual budget.
Research reveals a parallel between global forest productivity patterns and tree birth and death rates. In contrast, highly productive tropical forests undergo rapid tree replacement cycles.
A warmer climate could lead to increased road salt use due to more precipitation falling as sleet and freezing rain, but this might also reduce ski traffic and winter economy. The study aims to model climate change impacts on salt and sand usage in the Adirondack Park.
Coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and Florida are facing ecological degradation due to pollution, overfishing, disease, and climate change. Researchers recommend managing coral reefs as whole ecosystems, reducing terrestrial runoff and investing in infrastructure to prevent further decline.
The USDA will use NIST's Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) tool to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of biobased products over their life cycles. Biobased products made from renewable materials will be preferred in federal procurement.
Researchers warn that economic models of climate change often neglect potential threshold responses, leading to biased policies. The development of observation systems that can detect early warning signals about these events could improve climate policies and have significant economic benefits.
A new institution is proposed to measure and prioritize all major global threats, enabling governments to formulate informed policies. The World Institute for Risk Evaluation (WIRE) would gather evidence, quantify risks, and provide data-driven conclusions.
The Yale Environmental Journal has been translated into Chinese to promote high-quality scientific research and communication on the global environment. The 'circular economy' is a crucial aspect of China's environmental policy, emphasizing loop closing and recycling to achieve sustainable economic growth.
UGA researchers are using evolutionary game theory to study the conflict between humans and viruses, aiming to design better responses to viral diseases. The project applies game theory to understand human behavior in response to disease virulence and how viruses respond to treatment.
The Texas Automated Buoy System (TABS) uses nine buoys to predict oil spill movements, saving the state up to $250,000 in cleanup costs. The buoys also aid in locating ship passengers lost overboard and helped retrieve the Ehime Maru, a Japanese vessel sunk by a U.S. submarine.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created a new type of fiber that can effectively remove trace levels of atrazine, a widely used herbicide, from drinking water. The fibers, which are nearly eight times more effective than commercial activated carbon, can be easily regenerated and have been patented.
A study led by Dr Joanne Entwistle highlights the importance of fashion buyers' knowledge in translating market identity into products. The research focused on a large department store's women's wear team, finding that building markets and consumers is essential for success.
The average desktop system requires 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture, with a total of 1.8 tonnes of materials used per computer. The study highlights the need to extend the useful life of existing equipment to reduce waste and mitigate environmental impacts.
Researchers found that lake classification systems can increase property value by protecting lakes from overdevelopment and preserving environmental quality. In Vilas County, Wisconsin, homeowners who adopted a lake classification system saw significant increases in property prices due to their commitment to environmental preservation.
Researchers studied household land-use strategies in Brazil and the Midwest, finding that crop prices, conservation plans, and state/federal forest protection programs influence decisions. This complexity may make it difficult for policymakers to develop a single, uniform policy for entire regions.
A 22-page technical review explores the relationship between economic growth and wildlife conservation, revealing a high correlation between the two. The review aims to increase awareness about the fundamental conflict and identify potential solutions.
Ancient societies successfully transformed their environments through slow, incremental changes to living, labor, agricultural, and water collection/distribution practices. In Bali, Indonesia, centuries-old environmental/cultural/religious practices remain functional, highlighting the complexity of human ecology in ancient landscapes.
A $45 billion annual investment in preserving large tracts of wild nature could yield an annual return of $44 to $52 trillion in ecosystem services. The market economy fails to capture the full financial value of natural goods and services, leading to a lack of information and harmful development policies.
Adam Davis's work focuses on integrating economic value into land conservation for private landowners, using current regulations to drive the economic value of conservation. Companies are finding that investing in protected environments is not only good for the Earth but also a sound financial investment.
A new study suggests that global warming could lead to a shift in forest growth patterns, with temperate regions like North America potentially losing market share to subtropical regions. As temperatures rise, softwood species may migrate north and take over hardwood forests, leading to economic losses for growers.
Ships transport over 10 billion tonnes of ballast water annually, releasing foreign marine plants and animals into ecosystems. Researchers in the Newcastle University-led project investigate various treatment methods to dispose of ballast water at ports.
Researchers successfully wiped out 20 square kilometers of water hyacinth in the Sepik River, reducing infestations from 27 square kilometers to just seven over five years. The use of biological control agents like weevils was a key factor in this achievement.