Articles tagged with Environmental Economics
A new study suggests that companies should adapt to external disruptions, such as the corona pandemic, by recognizing and leveraging these changes. This can lead to innovative business strategies, as seen in past crises like the global financial crisis of 2008 and the temperance movement in the USA in the 1920s.
A new study by Resources for the Future researcher Margaret Walls concludes that national monuments on US public lands have generated benefits exceeding costs and have not harmed local economies. In some cases, monument designations have increased nearby businesses and jobs.
A new study finds that air pollution distribution has remained largely unchanged, with disadvantaged communities more likely to have higher levels of particulate pollution. The concentration of fine particulate air pollution has decreased by 70% since 1981 in the US, but socioeconomic disparities persist.
A Stanford-led paper explores the unprecedented socioeconomic disruption caused by COVID-19, hypothesizing outcomes for Earth systems and outlining research priorities. The study aims to better understand the impacts of human activity on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and the global economy.
Bioengineers at Stanford University have developed a method for forecasting black swan events, which are highly unlikely but massively consequential incidents. The method is based on analyzing long-term data from three ecosystems and has potential applications in healthcare, environmental research, economics, and politics.
Researchers estimate a median 21% yield reduction for impacted corn and soybean crops, resulting in minimum economic costs of $587 million USD. The actual cost range is estimated at $0-$1.76 billion USD due to potential land area expansion.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant economic impact, with global consumption losses exceeding $3.8 trillion and 147 million full-time equivalent job losses. The travel sector was most directly affected, with cascading multiplier effects across the entire world economy.
A Cranfield University team will monitor and analyze air quality levels within the region, utilizing sensor technology and data analytics to inform sustainable development plans. The study aims to mitigate the impact of growth on air quality, aligning with UK Government ambitions for a neutral or positive environmental gain.
A new study warns of rising invasive species threats due to increased pathways and trade, causing significant environmental losses and economic damage. The research highlights the need for urgent action to prevent, detect, and control invaders at local and global levels.
A global study found that cultivated economic plants are 18 times more likely to naturalize than non-cultivated species, with multiple uses being the most successful. Economic plants of Asian origin show the greatest naturalization success.
A global pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of the interconnected food system, with supply chain disruptions leading to food shortages and price spikes. A systems approach is needed to address the challenges of a globally complex food system, incorporating systemic risk and opportunities into food-related policies.
A study from the University of Illinois found that reducing speed limits in São Paulo, Brazil, dramatically reduced fatal accidents and increased travel times only minimally. The policy resulted in an estimated 1,889 averted accidents and 104 averted fatalities, with 86% of benefits going to low-income residents.
A new study suggests that releasing non-essential workers in two stages is the most effective way to minimize deaths while protecting the economy. The researchers recommend gradually releasing half of the population 2-4 weeks after an initial infection peak, followed by another 3-4 months before fully lifting restrictions.
The first issue of Restoration Ecology - Arid Lands (RE-AL) shares diverse voices from around the world focused on restoration in arid environments. Key findings include innovative technologies and best practices for practitioners in these ecosystems, addressing climate change and social importance.
A team of Penn State professors has received a $3 million grant to investigate food resilience in the face of catastrophic global events. The researchers aim to develop strategies for emergency food production, including the use of alternative crops, soilless growing systems, and long-term storage methods.
A new laboratory experiment reveals that climate geoengineering can lead to increased inequalities and economic losses, particularly when countries employ 'free driving' strategies. The study also found high strategic uncertainty and miscoordination among countries through counter-geoengineering solutions.
A new research-based framework helps companies balance economic and sustainability factors when producing biochemicals. The framework assesses the true sustainability of biochemicals by combining economic and environmental impacts into a monetary single score.
The expansion of oil palm cultivation has contributed significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction in local communities, particularly in Asia. However, large-scale deforestation and biodiversity loss are concerns due to the increased demand for palm oil, primarily used in food, fuel, and cosmetics industries.
A multidisciplinary team found that incorporating home ranging behavior into encounter rates could drastically change results, but only under narrow conditions. The more realistic models mimicked mass-action encounter only in specific scenarios, making it challenging to predict the direction of predictions.
A group of scientists recommend integrating terrestrial and ocean approaches to create a robust portfolio of climate adaptation and mitigation measures. They propose policies on renewable energy, sustainable transportation, food security, and habitat restoration to promote economic development and address climate change.
A University of Illinois study finds that reducing crime near public parks can unlock significant environmental value, with estimated gains of almost $7 billion in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. This highlights the importance of safety in unlocking park amenities for communities, particularly in high-crime neighborhoods.
A team of researchers has found that agave-powered bioethanol is superior to corn and sugarcane in terms of water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and ethanol output. The efficient process could also help produce ethanol for hand sanitizer, addressing the high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study on Amazon road expansion projects found that implementing all proposed roads would lead to deforestation of at least 2.4 million hectares and 17% legal violations related to environmental statuses or indigenous rights. Focusing on the lowest-impact projects could generate $4 billion in net gain while avoiding significant losses.
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.
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.
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.
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.