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ENV 4000: Environmental
Economics
Winter 2001
M, W, F | 2:40 - 3:50 PM | Daley Hall 117
Course Overview | Syllabus
| Professor: |
David Bainbridge
Coordinator of Environmental Studies |
| Office hours: |
W 1-2 PM, Th 3-5 PM or by appointment |
| Office: |
GLS 209 |
| Phone: |
(858) 635-4616 |
| Email: |
bainbrid@usiu.edu |
This course covers
economic concepts and policy issues associated with renewable and
non-renewable natural resource management, pollution, environmental
protection, and regulation with a global perspective. Most environmental
problems are symptoms of flawed or incomplete markets and inaccurate
accounting. The failure of environmental organizations to effect change
reflects the weakness of blaming problems on "moral failure". If
the rules of the game change people will work equally hard to reach
sustainable solutions -- if they are more profitable.
This course reviews the foundations and
principles of economics but focuses on environmental or ecological
economics and the critical factors that distinguish it from conventional
economics - true cost accounting, externalities, discount rates,
inter-generational transfers and equity and the perverse effects of
government intervention. Emphasis is on applied problems and differences
between countries and systems of management because solutions can only be
developed with a good understanding of cultural and political settings.
Opportunities for environmental entrepreneurs are also examined. Readings,
papers and discussion are very important for this class.
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