Articles tagged with Environmental Economics
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.
A new study by Cornell University estimates that biodiversity provides $2.9 trillion in economic and environmental benefits globally. In the United States alone, the value is estimated at $319 billion. The research highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem integrity for human well-being.
Ecological economists suggest that economic growth is unsustainable and must be rethought to prioritize sustainability. The field of ecological economics aims to minimize growth while improving quality of life by exploring new strategies to reach sustainable social and economic systems.
The Endangered Species Act's economic impacts are unclear due to inadequate data, according to a University of Wyoming economist. The lack of scientifically-based national estimates of the economic benefits of most listed species limits decision-making.