Select one of the options below:
Note: This course is usually offered Summer and Fall.
Discussion and economic analysis of current environmental issues with special emphasis on the impact of economic growth.
Economics is the study of how society allocates goods and services in a world with scarce resources. Environmental economics uses the principles of economics to understand how environmental resources are currently managed (or how they should be managed) in an economic system based on markets. This discipline tries to identify ways to improve upon market outcomes and to create effective mechanisms to regulate economic activity to better balance economic goals with environmental goals. In this course we explore the tools of environmental economics and then apply these tools to a variety of environmental problems, including oil-spill disasters, acid rain, national parks, water, sustainability, climate change, etc.
Topics covered:
• the role of economics in environmental decision making
• the basics of markets and market failures
• externalities, public goods, and open-access resources
• valuing the benefits of environmental protection
• valuing the costs of environmental protection
• efficiency criteria for evaluating environmental costs
• policy tools (controls, taxes, permits) and their assessment
• applications to particular pollution issues of interest
• economics of renewable resources: fisheries and forests
• economics of growth and the environment: development and sustainability
Throughout the semester the student will:
• learn the basic concepts and tools of environmental economics;
• think critically about current environmental problems using the lens of an environmental economist;
• develop the skills to communicate an environmental economic effectively, through writing and oral presentations.
If you should have any questions about this course offering, please contact Director of Online Studies in Economics, Niroj Bhattarai, for more information.
Credit not allowed for both ECON 240 and AREC 240
Credit not allowed for both ECON 240 and AREC 240.
Section 801
Required
Textbooks and materials can be purchased at the CSU Bookstore unless otherwise indicated.
Choose paper text or e-text.