Environmental Economics ECON 334

08 Jul Environmental Economics ECON 334

1. Steven Hackett mentions several reasons to be jolly (His book, Environmental and Natural Resources Economics, is on reserve in the library). List these and select one to explain in detail using sources other than Hackett’s textbook.

2. Explain the dominant ethical traditions identified by Hackett. Please provide examples of how these philosophical perspectives might apply to environmental issues.

3. Explain the concept of a negative externality, noting the meaning and significance of the term “external”-ity. Provide a real-world example of one relating to the environment and propose some feasible ideas or policies to address this externality.

4. Explain Einstein’s Dictum and cite a real-life example. Propose ideas and policies for overcoming this dilemma. Be creative!

5. Explain some of the key lessons learned from the Biosphere 2 project and the project’s relevance to the concept of natural capital.

6. Identify and explain some of the hidden subsidies and external costs related to automobile use in the US. Be creative!

7. Identify and explain some weaknesses of GDP as a measure of human welfare. Be creative!

8. Explain how you might renovate Mossman Hall using state of the art eco-friendly design principles and technologies. Be specific and mention several changes/improvements. Be creative!

9. Explain in your own words what tunneling through the cost barrier means.

10. Explain what you learned from the movie “Cowspiracy” – things that surprised you or may alter your perception of anthropogenic climate disruption or your lifestyle. Be specific and be creative!

Short Answer Grading Rubric

Grading Factors:

1. Completeness (5 points)

Does your response directly answer each part of the assignment question(s)?

Excellent 5

Very Good 4-3

Good 2

Needs Work 0-1

2. Knowledge (5 points)

Does your response clearly show you have read and understand the lesson content by correctly defining key terms, key persons and summarizing concepts?

Have you made inferences based on this knowledge to personal or modern-day applications?

Excellent 5

Very Good 4-3

Good 2

Needs Work 0-1

3. Analysis (5 points)

Have you clearly state analysis and give examples to back them up? Does your response provide analysis to the larger concepts of the lesson?

Excellent 5

Very Good 4-3

Good 2

Needs Work 0-1

4. Writing Skills (5 points)

Do you write clearly, in complete sentences, with minimal errors in grammar and spelling? Did you use the APA Method of Citation where needed?

Excellent 5

Very Good 4-3

Good 2

Needs Work 0-1