The Welfare Economics of Alternative Renewable Resource Strategies

The Welfare Economics of Alternative Renewable Resource Strategies
Author: Robert N. Stavins
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2017-10-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351621181

This study, originally published in 1990, seeks to address several important policy questions associated with the ongoing depletion of forested wetlands. First, in the context of Environmental Impact Statements, should the estimated areas of impact of Federal flood-control and drainage projects on wetlands be limited to (minimal) construction impacts, or should they include impacts which occur when such projects cause private landowners to drain and clear their wetland holdings? A second crucial question is whether wetland depletion and conversion to agricultural cropland has been excessive. This title will be of interest to students of Environmental Economics and Policy.

The Welfare Economics of Renewable Electricity Policies in California

The Welfare Economics of Renewable Electricity Policies in California
Author: Da Yea Oh
Publisher:
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

With one of the most complicated and ambitious renewable energy policies in the country, California's wholesale electricity market is severely understudied in terms of the interaction effects between different policies. We focus on two key policy measures: production and investment tax benefits received by renewable electricity producers, and the blend mandate, Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The impact of each policy set on market distortions and GHG emissions and their interactions are analyzed. We simulate alternative policy scenarios in the market using a partial equilibrium model, and see how changing each policy affects the equilibrium prices and quantities. Furthermore, using standard welfare measures, we compute the welfare gains and losses of the scenarios and show how different groups are affected by them. We find that the existence of both policies are mutually detrimental relative to having a sole policy of either a blend mandate or a renewable production subsidy, as the mandate exacerbates the negative effect a subsidy has on the market and the subsidy mitigates the positive effect blend mandate has on reducing GHG emissions. Total social welfare declines with either the observed blend mandate alone or production subsidies alone, but the reductions accelerate when the two policies are combined. We conclude that having RPS by itself is best if our policy goal is to decrease GHG emissions to an efficient level, and that pricing carbon is best if our policy goal is to maximize social welfare in reducing GHG emissions, regardless of the amount.

The Solar Economy

The Solar Economy
Author: Hermann Scheer
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 370
Release: 2013-06-17
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1136547614

The global economy and our way of life are based on the exploitation of fossil fuels, which not only threaten massive environmental and social disruption through global warming but, at present rates of consumption, will run out within decades, causing huge industrial dislocation and economic collapse. Even before then, the conflicts it causes in the Middle East and elsewhere will be frighteningly exacerbated. The alternative exists: renewable energy from renewable sources - above all, solar. Substituting renewable for fossil resources will take a new industrial revolution to avert the worst of the damage and establish a new international order. It can be done, and it can be done in time. The Solar Economy, by one of the world's most effective analysts and advocates, lays out the blueprints, showing how the political, economic and technological challenges can be met using indigenous, renewable and universally available resources, and the enormous opportunities and benefits that will flow from doing so.

Land Resource Economics and Sustainable Development

Land Resource Economics and Sustainable Development
Author: G. Cornelis Van Kooten
Publisher: UBC Press
Total Pages: 463
Release: 2011-11-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0774844566

'This text seeks to provide an introduction to issues of land use and the economic tools that are used to resolve land-use conflicts. In particular, tools of economic analysis are used to address allocation of land among alternative uses in such a way that the welfare of society is enhanced. Thus, the focus is on what is best for society and not what is best for an individual, a particular group of individuals, or a particular constituency. What this text seeks to provide is a balanced and just approach to decision-making concerning allocation of land.' -- from the Introduction

The Economics of Land Use

The Economics of Land Use
Author: Ian W. Hardie
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 748
Release: 2017-09-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351891073

The Economics of Land Use brings together the most significant journal essays in key areas of contemporary agricultural, food and resource economics and land use policy. The editors provide a state-of-the-art overview of the topic and access to the economic literature that has shaped contemporary perspectives on land use analysis and policy.

Environment

Environment
Author: Jules Pretty
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 1588
Release: 2006-06-23
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9781412918428

This four-volume set explores the locations where the environment matters most such as where people are poor, where environments are under threat (such as on frontiers), where there are few natural resources remaining, and where industrialization is rampant. It will also explore these concerns at different system levels, from local-community, to regional, national and global. It will also explore costs of damage to the very resources on which economies rely, and the values of environmental goods and services and the controversies surrounding such valuations. It is organized around environment-people interactions (livelihoods, poverty, income, economic growth); environment-environment interactions (do people matter?); and people-people interactions (collective action challenges, institutions).

The Economics of Agri-Environmental Policy, Volume II

The Economics of Agri-Environmental Policy, Volume II
Author: Richard D. Horan
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 430
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351146955

This two-volume set collects key essays examining economic theory, methods, and issues salient to agri-environmental policy in the US and in Europe, as well as in other countries. The topics under discussion are arranged thematically and include theoretical, numerical and empirical works; all are grounded in policy and economics. The introduction to these volumes reviews the evolution of agri-environmental policies, with an important focus on the history of US policy and European agri-environmental policy. A key feature within this is the importance of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, particularly its move towards more 'market-based incentives' from the 1980s onwards. Within the European context, the effects of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) on agri-environmental programmes and schemes within the member states, are discussed. Significantly, the essays republished here have provided the knowledge base that has influenced further applied work, creating an influential impact on policy development.

Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation

Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation
Author: Christopher E. Moorman
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2019-09-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1421432730

Brings together disparate conversations about wildlife conservation and renewable energy, suggesting ways these two critical fields can work hand in hand. Renewable energy is often termed simply "green energy," but its effects on wildlife and other forms of biodiversity can be quite complex. While capturing renewable resources like wind, solar, and energy from biomass can require more land than fossil fuel production, potentially displacing wildlife habitat, renewable energy infrastructure can also create habitat and promote species health when thoughtfully implemented. The authors of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation argue that in order to achieve a balanced plan for addressing these two crucially important sustainability issues, our actions at the nexus of these fields must be directed by current scientific information related to the ecological effects of renewable energy production. Synthesizing an extensive, rapidly growing base of research and insights from practitioners into a single, comprehensive resource, contributors to this volume • describe processes to generate renewable energy, focusing on the Big Four renewables—wind, bioenergy, solar energy, and hydroelectric power • review the documented effects of renewable energy production on wildlife and wildlife habitats • consider current and future policy directives, suggesting ways industrial-scale renewables production can be developed to minimize harm to wildlife populations • explain recent advances in renewable power technologies • identify urgent research needs at the intersection of renewables and wildlife conservation Relevant to policy makers and industry professionals—many of whom believe renewables are the best path forward as the world seeks to meet its expanding energy needs—and wildlife conservationists—many of whom are alarmed at the rate of renewables-related habitat conversion—this detailed book culminates with a chapter underscoring emerging opportunities in renewable energy ecology. Contributors: Edward B. Arnett, Brian B. Boroski, Regan Dohm, David Drake, Sarah R. Fritts, Rachel Greene, Steven M. Grodsky, Amanda M. Hale, Cris D. Hein, Rebecca R. Hernandez, Jessica A. Homyack, Henriette I. Jager, Nicole M. Korfanta, James A. Martin, Christopher E. Moorman, Clint Otto, Christine A. Ribic, Susan P. Rupp, Jake Verschuyl, Lindsay M. Wickman, T. Bently Wigley, Victoria H. Zero