The numbered questions and the readings on which they are based have been posted on Open Lab under “Exam Reviews.” There are 9 questions, of which you will be asked to answer three.

midterm-review-questions-and-readings

Discussion questions on the previously posted readings have been posted on Open Lab under ‘Weekly Readings,’ along with a list of readings and questions for the midterm review. This is posted under ‘Exam Reviews.’ Please be prepared to discuss the assigned questions.

Reading for Wed. October 19:

Read the two attached articles before the next class meeting on Oct. 19. There will be a short class assignment related to the readings. Discussion questions  to prepare for this will follow in a couple of days.

1.William Emmons

dont-expect-consumer_spending

http://www.wavespartnership.org/sites/waves/files/images/Moving_Beyond_GDP.pdf

assignment-on-urban-ecology-tour

One-page written assignment on the Urban Ecology Tour at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

In a one-page single-spaced essay, discuss the following: Due Wed. October 19 (hard copies only)

 1) Explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard website and become informed about the range of initiatives and activities that are taking place there. Discuss some of the projects that are currently underway, many of which were discussed on the tour

2) Focusing on two features of the tour (ex: the Urban Grange rooftop farm project/the benefits of green roof systems; architectural re-design of old buildings; oyster reefs; promotion of renewable energy use and design; and the history of the Navy Yard itself), discuss the economic and environmental benefits of these . Please be specific.

3) During the tour, how did your experience of visiting and seeing an urban gardening project first-hand enhance your knowledge of projects like this?

4) Considering your own proposed research, discuss how first-hand observation and research might enhance your own project. Please provide specifics.

5) In addition, you may also post any pictures/thoughts on the Open Lab at the bottom of this page.

The class group tour to the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard is tomorrow, Wed. September 28 from 12 noon – 1:30 PM. the tour starts at 12 so plan to arrive a few minutes early.

Reminder: To sign up for this tour, click on the link below and sign up with Turnstile Tours. The fee for the tour is $20. This is the only expense for this class, as all readings/materials are provided.

https://fareharbor.com/turnstiletours/items/29335/

Directions and map below:

• IMPORTANT: If you are using GPS or an online mapping service to find BLDG 92, enter “Flushing Ave and Carlton Ave, Brooklyn, NY” and not the street address, as there is only one address for the entire 300-acre Yard. Do not enter “63 Flushing Ave” or just “Brooklyn Navy Yard,” as you will end up in the wrong location.

• Do not attempt to enter the Brooklyn Navy Yard through any of the other security entrances, as you will be turned away. There is no public parking inside the gates of the Navy Yard, with the exception of individuals with a handicapped parking sticker.

• If you plan on taking the subway, the closest stops are York Street (F) and High St (A/C). Alternative transportation options, as well as driving, biking, or ferry directions are here.

• Driving Directions: The Brooklyn Navy Yard is accessible from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278), either via the exits for Tillary St (exit 29B), Flushing Ave (exit 30 eastbound), or Wythe Ave/Kent Ave (exit 31 westbound).

• Street parking is available adjacent to BLDG 92, or there is a free municipal parking lot one block south of BLDG 92 along Park Ave, underneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

• If you get turned around for any reason, please call Turnstile Tours at (347) 903-8687.

Other Tips & Info:

• Bring a camera. There are great views all over the Yard, but please note that photographs taken on this tour may only be used for non-commercial or personal purposes. Using photographs for commercial purposes without acquiring permission from theBrooklyn Navy YardDevelopment Corporation is strictly prohibited. Please also note that photography of Steiner Studios, the power plant, and the interiors of tenant buildings (without permission), is not allowed.

• Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Wear comfortable shoes and make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, as we will be getting off the bus at several points during the tour. We give our tours rain or shine, and there will be no refunds due to weather conditions unless Turnstile Tours cancels the tour out of concern for safety. In this case, we would call you no later than 9am on the day of the tour to reschedule.

• Special needs & accessibility. We strive to provide an inclusive and welcoming experience on all of our tours. If you have any special needs, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@turnstiletours.com so that we can make appropriate accommodations.

Any other questions? Please don’t hesitate to call us at (347) 903-8687. Thank you so much, and we hope you have an engaging and memorable experience.

Directions fro City Tech: Where is the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Reading for Wed. September 21:

thompson-and-press_csa_-practicing-plenitude-2014

mcclintock_why-farm-the-city   (pages 191-201)

Reminder: The class group tour to the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard is on Wed. September 28 from 12 noon – 1:30 PM. To sign up for this tour, click on the link below and sign up with Turnstile Tours. The fee for the tour is $20. This is the only expense for this class, as all readings/materials are provided.

https://fareharbor.com/turnstiletours/items/29335/

Directions fro City Tech: Where is the Brooklyn Navy Yard

map-brooklyn-navy-yard-png

Reading for Wed. September 14 Read the assigned pages of the following article and bring the pages to class on Wed. Review the discussion questions below.

atkinson-etal-2010-econ-climate-change_theories1

Read pages 1-12 of the article. The authors explain various economic assumptions that are at the center of different climate change policy proposals. They contrast these theories – Neoclassical economics, Keynesian economics, and Innovation Economics.

Be prepared to participate in a class discussion of the following questions:

1. What do neoclassical economists believe are the central issues to resolve in addressing the challenges of climate change? What assumptions does the theory make?
2. Do you think the assumptions made about human economic behavior and about how to address environmental problems are workable in the real world economy?
3. What do neo-Keynesian economists view as most important in addressing the challenges of climate change? Explain how the neo-Keynesian perspective differs from the neoclassical perspective.
4. What are the principal problems that Atkinson and Hackler have with the neoclassical and neo-Keynesian policy proposals for addressing climate change? What arguments do the authors cite as to why neither the neoclassical nor the neo-Keynesian views offer an suitable policy framework for addressing the climate challenges of the 21^st century?
5. The authors discuss what they call “Innovation Economics.” What is ‘Innovation economics’ according to the authors?

II. Read the short article (one pg) here by the IETA. 

Why Emissions Trading is More Effective Than a Carbon Tax_IETA

1. What policy does the International Emissions Trading Association advocate for addressing climate change? Why does the IETA believe this policy is workable?What is “cap and trade”?

Reading for Wed. Sept. 7: Read the Executive Summary – pages 3 through 7 only. The link to the reading is provided below.

US Economic Impacts of Climate Change and the Costs of Inaction

We will discuss the following questions in class on Wed. Come prepared for the discussion.

1. What sectors of the U.S. economy are projected to be affected by climate change in the near future?                                                                                                                                                 2. What have been the economic costs of some recent extreme weather events in recent years?                                                                                                                                                             3. What are some of the reasons that different regions of the country are expected to experience different impacts or effects of different severity? What are some examples of industries that may be impacted?                                                                                                         4. Why are climate change events expected to negatively affect public sector (government) budgets? Examples?                                                                                                        5. What are some of the expected secondary affects? Why are these secondary affects expected to occur?