Articles tagged with Environmental Economics
A study found that threshold-based insect management strategies, including conventional and organic pesticides, resulted in greater economic returns for small-scale tomato producers. Organic thresholds did not affect yields but had higher costs due to increased pesticide applications.
A new study examines how smallholder farmers integrate into global markets, revealing that their ability to seize control can lead to better economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The integrated framework of telecoupling shows surprising truths about the complex interactions between farmers and external pressures.
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has established a €1 million prize to tackle the climate crisis, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting vulnerable populations. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Lisbon on July 20th, with a jury of international experts selecting the winner.
An interdisciplinary study found that biodiversity increases yield and revenue in semi-natural grasslands. The researchers discovered that maintaining higher levels of plant diversity leads to improved forage quality and increased income from milk sales, comparable to the difference between extensively and intensively farmed land.
Researchers studied prehistoric oyster shells to understand the decline of colossal oysters in Florida's northern Gulf Coast. They found a massive 2.6 inch decrease in maximum size, shorter lifespan, and slower growth rate compared to their ancestors.
New IIASA-led research assesses economy-wide effects of sea level rise globally, highlighting significant GDP losses without further mitigation and adaptation. The study shows that projections for 2050 and 2100 reveal drastic changes in G20 countries' relative GDP impacts, with China facing the highest losses.
A new study suggests that Indigenous territories and protected areas in the Amazon are emitting low amounts of carbon, outperforming other land categories. However, these lands are under siege due to government concessions for mining and petroleum extraction, threatening their role in protecting vulnerable landscapes.
The EU project RES URBIS successfully generated bioplastics from urban waste, showing a higher economic value than traditional composting methods. The process produces polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) through volatile fatty acids decomposition.
Researchers found that annual river ice cover will decline by about six days for every one degree Celsius increase in global temperatures, affecting communities and industries. The study also detected widespread declines in monthly river ice coverage, particularly in the Tibetan Plateau, eastern Europe, and Alaska.
The study identifies 5 distinct world regions with varying levels of food sovereignty, diet quality, food security, and environmental sustainability. It reveals significant regional disparities and agri-food debt imbalances between countries.
The US green economy generates over $1.3 trillion in revenue annually, employing an estimated 9.5 million people, with renewables sectors experiencing significant growth. The study highlights the need for new policies to support the green economy's growth and job creation.
The economic cost of natural disasters has increased disproportionately for major events like hurricanes and tornadoes, while lesser events have seen less growth. Climate change is driving these increases, with the top 1% of damages estimated to rise by $26 million annually.
The study found that the supply of queens and packaged bees is sufficiently elastic to absorb demand increases due to colony collapse disorder, leading to no significant price hikes. Beekeeper methods of offsetting winter losses, such as splitting hives, remained relatively inexpensive and effective in meeting pollination contracts.
The West Virginia Water Research Institute will scale up its Rare Earth Recovery Project with the new funding, which includes building a facility at an acid mine drainage treatment plant near Mount Storm. The project aims to extract rare earth elements from coal and coal byproducts, reducing dependence on China.
Researchers identified six corporate actions that can promote environmental stewardship: aligning vision, mainstreaming sustainability, license to operate, financing transformations, radical transparency, and evidence-based knowledge for action. These changes can be implemented by large corporations to ensure long-term sustainability.
A recent study updated damage estimates of fine particulate matter in the United States, revealing a nationwide total GED attributable to economic activity decreased by over 20% between 2008 and 2014. The largest GED was found in agriculture, while manufacturing and transportation accounted for 75% of damages.
A new mathematical model developed by Fan et al. suggests that environmental taxes can stimulate economic growth, decrease emissions, and improve resource utilization in China. The model's findings support the use of carbon taxes as an effective strategy to promote environmentally friendly practices.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that people understand sustainability in four distinct ways, but most see environmental and social outcomes as trade-offs. This suggests that effective communication is key to overcoming public scepticism about achieving a sustainable world.
Researchers propose a new approach to climate change adaptation, focusing on strategic and managed retreat in vulnerable areas. This approach aims to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits by integrating retreat into broader development goals.
The study found that individuals are more likely to cheat due to their personal propensity rather than external factors. In the experiment, participants showed no significant change in cheating behavior during periods of scarcity or abundance.
The University of Tennessee has been awarded a grant to develop a more sustainable way to manage Nashville's organic wastes. The project aims to reduce methane emissions and create jobs in the local community by using anaerobic digestion technology.
A new project at the University of Exeter aims to discover how economics can help protect the environment by placing an economic value on biodiversity. The project will develop trading platforms to advance price measurements of biodiversity and provide individuals and businesses with access to conservation solutions in various countries.
The Ecological Society of America's 104th Annual Meeting emphasized the importance of inclusive approaches in ecology, fostering connections between disparate landscapes and disciplines. Key sessions explored the intersection of human and non-human nature, agricultural practices, and environmental justice issues.
A study reveals that substituting diesel with liquefied natural gas (LNG) in São Paulo can reduce fuel costs by up to 40% and greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2%. LNG is found to be a more environmentally friendly option, with lower emissions of CO2-eq, CH4, and N2O.
A new study by NIST evaluates the power usage and environmental impact of gas versus electric HVAC systems in low-energy residential dwellings. The study suggests that natural gas is currently more economical overall than electric for a code-compliant Maryland home.
Researchers argue that Spain's current regulations on light pollution are inadequate and propose a change in approach to minimize the problem. Using white light instead of yellow light can provide significant energy savings while maintaining user safety, with potential benefits for environmental and economic aspects as well.
A study found that climate change may lead to increased fertility due to reduced resources for education, as people allocate time and money for child-rearing. The researchers used a quantitative model to examine the economic channels through which climate change affects fertility, finding that it worsens inequalities in richer countries.
A group of invasive species experts warns of the economic and environmental risks posed by biological invasions in the US, citing climate change as a major factor. The Trump Administration's budget cut is seen as reckless and inadequate to address the growing threat.
A new study in Heliyon identifies distinct opinion patterns on positional issues among Canadian voters, suggesting a micro-targeting marketing strategy could be effective. The research found that many Canadians have strong opinions on divisive issues, comparable to conventional vote predictors like party identification.
A Duke University economist argues that federal subsidies for US commercial fisheries should be rejected due to their lack of scientific merit. The proposed rule change could lead to overfishing, weak economic performance, and increased by-catch and habitat impacts if finalized.
Researchers found that cash transfer programs can exacerbate environmental degradation, particularly in rural areas where livelihoods depend on natural resources. The study suggests that these programs need to be implemented with environmental policies to maximize their effectiveness.
Russian scientists propose a new recycling method that produces liquid products from organic waste, eliminating the need for specialized plants and reducing oil consumption. The process also generates no environmental emissions, making it compatible with circular economy principles.
Paying a living wage to garment industry workers in BRIC countries may increase Western European clothing prices by 12.5%, but could lead to more jobs and less poverty, while keeping global carbon emissions roughly the same. The study challenges conventional wisdom that higher wages are bad for the environment.
A global carbon tax could reduce greenhouse gas emissions efficiently, according to a survey of people in the US, India, UK, South Africa, and Australia. The majority of respondents supported carbon taxes if revenues were returned to citizens or spent on climate projects.
A new seven-point plan aims to help policymakers develop coherent strategies to address climate change and its impact on the environment. The plan suggests working together across disciplines to tackle complex issues, and outlines guiding principles for policy decisions.
A recent study by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientists evaluated the economic viability of PES programs in the PCW, finding that reforestation efforts have a significant impact on ship transits and dry-season water flow. The researchers also identified market clearing equilibriums for such programs, highlighting their pot...
A two-year study by researchers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab found that ten times more trash washes up on the coast of Texas than any other Gulf state. The majority of the trash was plastic, with most occurring during spring and summer months.
A new study led by Ohio State University aims to build models that predict how future trade scenarios could affect the Great Lakes region's food, energy, and water supply. The research team is gathering input from farmers, state and regional policy organizations, and other stakeholders to formulate potential future scenarios.
A new study by USC and other universities finds that increasing fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles will bring about significant economic benefits, including $112 billion in estimated savings. The research contradicts the Trump administration's claim that such rules would lead to too many highway deaths.
A study by Kanazawa University found that rural tourism has a positive impact on rural communities in Japan, preserving landscapes and creating jobs for older people. However, the industry faces challenges such as small income generation and seasonality, which threaten its long-term sustainability.
Researchers at KAUST developed a metal-organic framework that selectively adsorbs hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas, making it cleaner-burning and more environmentally friendly. The technology could also promote increased use of natural gas worldwide, potentially yielding large environmental and economic benefits.
A new study presents a unified path for development and conservation, considering the needs of both people and nature. By using leading projections and aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, researchers envision a world in 2050 where human well-being and nature thrive together.
Researchers have developed a MOF membrane with micro/nano architectures that accelerates oil-water separation with high efficiency. The membrane exhibits excellent separation efficiency over 99.99% for various oil-water mixtures, with a remarkable water flux of up to 102000 L/m2h.
A new study from the University of British Columbia and Princeton University found that intense competition fosters pro-social behavior, including sharing, co-operation, and volunteering. This results in higher levels of contribution to collective pools and reported increases in generalized trust among coworkers.
New research suggests that high- and low-income countries will struggle to achieve environmental sustainability if current economic growth patterns continue. The study argues that restructuring the economic system is key to making development compatible with ecological sustainability.
A new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution exposes connections between tax havens, deforestation, and illegal fishing. On average, 68% of foreign capital to Amazon rainforest sectors was transferred through tax havens, while 70% of IUU fishing vessels were flagged under a tax haven jurisdiction.
A study by University of California, Berkeley economists found that air pollution emissions from US manufacturing fell by 60% between 1990 and 2008 due to stricter environmental regulations. The researchers analyzed data on over 1,400 products and found that changes in production technologies were the primary driver of these decreases.
A PolyU-led project has been awarded a record-breaking HK$47.2 million grant to develop new concrete structures for marine infrastructure, aiming to reduce steel corrosion and environmental pollution. The five-year project will focus on innovative materials and designs, with potential benefits extending to Hong Kong and globally.
Researchers have developed a family of metal-free ferroelectric perovskites offering non-toxic and mechanically flexible properties for future soft robotic and biomedical devices. One organic compound exhibits ferroelectric traits similar to inorganic BTO, enabling environmentally friendly applications.
RIT will continue to lead the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) after a five-year award from the DEC. Since 2008, NYSP2I has made significant economic, environmental and social impacts across the state, including operational cost savings, assistance projects, and research initiatives.
The EXIOBASE 3 database provides new clarity on the links between international trade, consumption, and environmental impact. Researchers found some level of decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact, but efficiency was reduced for material use increasing at a faster rate than GDP.
A new climate study argues that economic optimization alone is insufficient to avoid the tipping point of critical Earth system elements. The concept of profit maximization can lead to outcomes that harm people or the environment, even with discounted future costs.
A new journal paper highlights the limitations of economic models in assessing climate change impacts, particularly at moderate to high levels of warming. The authors argue that current models inadequately account for tipping points and uncertainties, leading to large discrepancies between scientific and economic estimates.
A team of scientists analyzed ant species distributions to understand why biodiversity is higher in the tropics. Their research suggests that time is key to species diversity, with tropical habitats having had more time to accumulate species.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence genomes of every eukaryotic species on Earth, filling the huge knowledge gap in biodiversity research. With a cost estimate of approximately US$4.7 billion, the project will lay the scientific foundation for a new bioeconomy and bring innovative solutions to global problems.
A £1 million toolkit will help cities and developers accurately assess the benefits of green infrastructure, supporting recreation, community events, and wildlife. The project aims to provide a practical decision-making tool for land owners and managers, protecting existing provision and promoting high-quality green space.
Researchers at Linköping University developed new methods to predict ecological roles of species in ecosystems. They found that a species' environment influences its role, particularly in predator-prey interactions. The study focuses on marine ecosystems but may inspire research on land-based habitats.
A Yale-led study found that GDP remains linked to metal use even as affluence grows, with a 1% rise in GDP increasing the nation's metal footprint by 1.9%. This challenges the long-held theory that metal use plateaus when GDP reaches $15,000 per person.
Researchers found that economic profit is the main motivation behind salvage logging in protected areas, despite warnings about its harm to biodiversity and regeneration capacity. Salvage logging should be banned from protected areas unless necessary for safety reasons, according to ecologists.
The US has seen significant improvements in air and water quality since the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts were enacted in the 1970s. Long-term monitoring programs have tracked declines in pollutants like sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, and lead, leading to benefits for human health, economies, and environments.