ECON 207 Environmental Economics

18 points. Semester 1.

Overview

This paper applies the tools of microeconomics to examine a variety of local and global environmental issues. We start by examining the stunning growth in global population, and the consequent pressures on natural systems. Of especial interest are problems associated with natural resources to which access is to varying extents open, e.g., the atmosphere, bodies of water, public lands and highways, scenic vistas. We develop economic models to identify and evaluate private and public responses to inefficient use of these resources (i.e., to the "tragedy of the commons"). Finally, we explore issues in the allocation over time of depletable natural resources, e.g., oil, minerals and some water resources.

Paper coordinator

Paul Thorsnes

Prerequisite

(BSNS 104/ECON 111 and ECON 112) or ECON 101

Course Outline

You can download the 2008 course outline in pdf format.

Course Related Materials

Lecture notes, diagrams and problem sets will be available on Blackboard. Use your student user name and password to log in.

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