Can We Afford the Future?

Can We Afford the Future? PDF

Author: Frank Ackerman

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2009-04-15

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 1848133677

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According to many scientists, climate change is a growing threat to life as we know it, requiring a large-scale, immediate response. According to many economists, climate change is a moderately important problem; the best policy is a slow, gradual start, to avoid spending too much. They can't both be right. In this book, Frank Ackerman offers a refreshing look at the economics of climate change, explaining how the arbitrary assumptions of conventional theories get in the way of understanding this urgent problem. The benefits of climate protection are vital but priceless, and hence often devalued in cost-benefit calculations. Preparation for the most predictable outcomes of global warming is less important than protection against the growing risk of catastrophic change; massive investment in new, low carbon technologies and industries should be thought of as life insurance for the planet. Ackerman makes an impassioned plea to construct a better economics, arguing that the solutions are affordable and the alternative is unthinkable. If we can't afford the future, what are we saving our money for? Can we Afford the Future? is part of The New Economics series, which uses the ideas behind a new, more human economics to provide a fresh way of looking at major contemporary issues.

Statehouse and Greenhouse

Statehouse and Greenhouse PDF

Author: Barry G. Rabe

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2004-02-17

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 0815796358

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No environmental issue triggers such feelings of hopelessness as global climate change. Many areas of the world, including regions of the United States, have experienced a wide range of unusually dramatic weather events recently. Much climate change analysis forecasts horrors of biblical proportions, such as massive floods, habitat loss, species loss, and epidemics related to warmer weather. Such accounts of impending disaster have helped trigger extreme reactions, wherein some observers simply dismiss global climate change as, at the very worst, a minor inconvenience requiring modest adaptation. It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that an American federal government known for institutional gridlock has accomplished virtually nothing in this area in the last decade. Policy inertia is not the story of this book, however. Statehouse and Greenhouse examines the surprising evolution of state-level government policies on global climate change. Environmental policy analyst Barry Rabe details a diverse set of innovative cases, offering detailed analysis of state-level policies designed to combat global warming. The book explains why state innovation in global climate change has been relatively vigorous and why it has drawn so little attention thus far. Rabe draws larger potential lessons from this recent flurry of American experience. Statehouse and Greenhouse helps to move debate over global climate change from bombast to the realm of what is politically and technically feasible.

The United States in a Warming World

The United States in a Warming World PDF

Author: Thomas L. Brewer

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-09-22

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 1316094464

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Addressing the widespread desire to better understand how climate change issues are addressed in the United States, this book provides an unparalleled analysis of features of the US economic and political system that are essential to understanding its responses to climate change. The introductory chapter presents a firm historical context, with the remainder of the book offering balanced and factual discussions of government, business and public responses to issues of energy policies, congressional activity on climate change, and US government involvement in international conferences. Abundant statistical evidence illustrates key concepts and supports analytic themes such as market failures, free riders, and the benefits and costs of alternative courses of action among industry sectors and geographic areas within the US. Written for audiences both outside and within the US, this accessible book is essential reading for anyone interested in climate change, energy, sustainable development or related issues around the world.

Macroeconomic and Financial Policies for Climate Change Mitigation: A Review of the Literature

Macroeconomic and Financial Policies for Climate Change Mitigation: A Review of the Literature PDF

Author: Signe Krogstrup

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-09-04

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13: 1513511955

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Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of this century. Mitigation requires a large-scale transition to a low-carbon economy. This paper provides an overview of the rapidly growing literature on the role of macroeconomic and financial policy tools in enabling this transition. The literature provides a menu of policy tools for mitigation. A key conclusion is that fiscal tools are first in line and central, but can and may need to be complemented by financial and monetary policy instruments. Some tools and policies raise unanswered questions about policy tool assignment and mandates, which we describe. The literature is scarce, however, on the most effective policy mix and the role of mitigation tools and goals in the overall policy framework.

Environmental and Natural Resources Economics

Environmental and Natural Resources Economics PDF

Author: Steven C. Hackett

Publisher: M.E. Sharpe

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 460

ISBN-13: 9780765606822

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With over 25% new material, this new edition of Environmental and Natural Resources Economics offers an accessible and balanced treatment of economic theory and policy relating to the environment, as well as a thorough overview of the economics of sustainability. Intended for both students and practioners, the book has been completely updated to include discussion and analysis of the latest U.S. and international environmental policy initiatives -- such as the Kyoto Protocol--and how they affect the global economy. Fully-integrated web source linkages have also been added throughout to enable all readers to make better use of the book's own website and a myriad of other available internet resources for research and supplemental reading on this crucial subject

US Economic Policy in the 21st Century

US Economic Policy in the 21st Century PDF

Author: Alexandros Mourmouras

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-08-02

Total Pages: 151

ISBN-13: 3031364376

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This book addresses major economic problems affecting the United States and proposes policy reforms to target them. The authors use a broad survey of economic research to conduct an evidence-based assessment of four economic issues affecting the US and other developed nations: slowing economic growth, unsustainable public debt increases, widening wage inequality, and climate change. Finding that the problems are interconnected and should be dealt with in a comprehensive manner, the authors explain how current policies have contributed to the issues and make recommendations on policy reforms. All four issues are examined in one place and the resulting policy recommendations form a consistent plan to mediate the problems simultaneously. Providing a comprehensive approach to some of economic policy’s most difficult problems, this book will be an excellent resource for students and researchers interested in macroeconomic theory, public sector economics, international economics, labor economics, and environmental economics.

Hacia el Futuro

Hacia el Futuro PDF

Author: Maria Eugenia Ibarrarán

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2006-09-09

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 1402047711

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The book focuses on the impact of energy policies on fossil fuel use, environmental quality, and economic growth in Mexico for the next 20 years. It examines the Mexican energy sector and its link to international trade, government revenues, economic welfare and environmental pollution. It also develops a Computable General Equilibrium model of the Mexican economy, paying attention to the energy sector and its links with other aspects of the aggregate economy.

Economic Doctrines and Approaches to Climate Change Policy

Economic Doctrines and Approaches to Climate Change Policy PDF

Author: Robert D. Atkinson

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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In climate change, as in all policy issues, economic philosophy has a significant influence on how people view both the problems and the solutions. For the first time, ITIF surveys four dominant schools of economic thought and analyzes how adherents approach policy options for climate change and energy policy. With climate change and major energy legislation stalled, maybe it is time to put aside fixed philosophical notions and take a practical look on ways to address climate change in an economically feasible way. The report reviews the principles and goals of each economic doctrine, and offers a critique of the advantages and limitations of each doctrine's contribution to addressing the challenge of climate change.