Environmental and Resource Economics

Catalog description

This course addresses environmental concerns through the lens of economics. The course introduces students to key environmental issues and how economic tools such as market pricing, taxes, subsidies, property rights, tradable allowances, incentive structures, and rational self-interest of consumers can be employed to address concerns. Topics include population growth, pollution externalities, clean air legislation, rainforest destruction, endangered species legislation, animal poaching and the tragedy of the commons, over-harvesting in fisheries, eminent domain and regulatory takings, and the resource curse as seen in developing nations. Prerequisite(s): ECON 217 Corequisite(s): None