1. Economic policy on reducing carbon emissions_wk2

2. Environmental Econ Presentation_PHer

3.

For Wed. Feb 25: (1)Discussion questions to prepare for viewing film “Consumed” and (2) discussion questions from assigned reading, William Emmons, “Don’t Expect Consumer Spending to be the Engine of Economic Growth it Once Was.”

I. Read William Emmons, “Don’t Expect Consumer Spending to be the Engine of Economic Growth it Once Was.” Dont Expect Consumer_Spending

Post your responses to at least one of the following questions before 2/25.

1. William Emmons suggests that American consumers may not be able to serve as the engine of economic growth that they did in the prosperous post-war era. What reasons does he cite for this? (paragraph 1)

2.  Emmons notes in the last paragraph on page 1 that “as consumer spending grew rapidly in the U.S., we imported consumer-oriented goods and services even more rapidly.” What problem does Emmons see with this trend?

3. Take a look at the table on pg. 2 that compares the composition of GDP in the U.S. and Canada over time. Looking at the most recent period from 2001 – 2010, what differences do you notice in the percent share of the components of GDP between the two nations (Consumption, Investment, Net exports, Government expenditures)?

4. Emmons identifies five trends working against consumer spending on pg.3. What are these?

II. Questions for discussion of the film, “Consumed: Is Our Consumer Culture Leading Us to Disaster?”

Post a response to at least one of the following questions before Feb. 25. 

1. In the film’s opening remarks, the narrator suggests that our focus on consumerism could lead to environmental disaster. What are your thoughts on this perspective?

2. The film also suggests that in human society, consumerism often means that we “chase status,” often deriving little real satisfaction from this behavior, and that human relationships become secondary. Would you agree/disagree with this argument? Why?

3. Is runaway consumerism a “temporary” stage? Would you agree that “Once people understand their own psychology they will care less about consumption?” Discuss

4. It is argued that consumerism is tied to a “natural human urge,” a way of “structuring human life.” Is consumption a “natural” behavior? Or is it conditioned?

5. The film makes the argument that economic growth, driven by consumer spending, has “become fetishized.” We earn more money, have more choices, then spend more money. What does the commentator mean when stating that consumer spending has become ‘fetishized’?

6. It is argued that we often “display our mental traits through the goods and services we buy and turn them into props,” using them as a way of signaling prestige or a way of attracting others. Your reactions to this view? Would you agree? Disagree? with this perspective? Explain reasoning.

7. It is suggested that in order to promote more environmentally conscious consumption, we need to understand how to psychologically influence changes in behavior. Would you agree? Disagree?

8. In the film’s opening remarks, the narrator suggests that our focus on consumerism could lead to environmental disaster. What are your thoughts on this perspective?

III. Reminder: submit final draft of research topic in the form of a question or argument you wish to make; think about where you may want to conduct field research for your topic. (list of some ideas is posted under ‘Research topic ideas’ menu.

IV. Guest Lecturer: Prof. Pa Her (Psychology)

Assignment for Wed. Feb. 4

I. Robert D.Atkinson and Darrene Hackler, Economic Doctrines and Approaches to Climate Change Policy, October 2010

Atkinson-etal-2010-econ-climate-change_theories

Read pages 1-12 (here the authors explain how various economic assumption that are at the heart of different climate change policies (Neoclassical economics; Keynesian economics; Innovation Economics). Then take a look at the following pages from the article: Pgs. 20 – 22; 25 – 29 and 30 – 31; Be prepared for a class discussion on the following questions:

1. What do neoclassical economists believe are the central issues to resolve in addressing the challenges of climate change?
2. Which of the economic concepts (reviewed in last week’s class) are important to the neoclassical view? What are the assumptions of the neoclassical perspective?
3. What is your assessment of the neoclassical perspective? Are the assumptions about human economic behavior and about how to address environmental problems workable in the real world economy? Explain your reasoning.
4. Describe specifically (two or three ways) in which the neo-Keynesian perspective differs from the neoclassical perspective?
5. What do neo-Keynesian economists view as important in addressing the challenges of climate change? Explain
6. What are the principal problems the authors have with both the neoclassical and neo-Keynesian policy proposals for addressing climate change? What are the three arguments 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?
7. The authors discuss what they call “Innovation Economics.” What do Atkinson and Hackler mean by innovation economics? Describe their perspective.

II. Read the two short articles by the IETA and Henry Paulson.

Why Emissions Trading is More Effective Than a Carbon Tax_IETA

The Coming Climate Crash_H Paulson

1. What policy does Henry Paulson advocate for addressing climate change? What is a carbon tax? Why does Paulson believe this policy is workable?
2. 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”?

III. Overview of the carbon tax vs. “cap and trade” (tradable emissions permits.

IV. GROUP PROJECT in class Wed. Feb. 4

   1.What do you believe are the most important issues with respect to current environmental challenges?

2. Would a carbon tax – proposed by Henry Paulson – be an efficient and adequate policy to reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change? Explain your reasoning.
3. Consider the other proposals discussed by Paul Krugman, such as a “cap and trade” system, government subsidies for development of clean energy, and a utility buy-back of unused electricity from consumers’ solar panels. Would any of these (or some combination of these proposals), be efficient in reducing carbon emissions? Explain your reasoning.
4. Which economic theory does the carbon tax proposal seem to best reflect? Explain why. Which economic theory do the proposals for cap and trade and government subsidies for clean energy development seem to most closely reflect? Explain your reasoning.
5. What kind of policy do you believe the so-called “innovation economics” theory would advocate and why?
6. Given the three policy perspectives discussed in the reading, describe what you believe to be the most efficient policy for addressing climate change? (This might be any combination of the policies reviewed). Would your policy include anything suggested by the so-called “innovation economics” perspective? Are there other actions that are not included in the readings that would be efficient?

Be sure to clearly explain your reasoning.

V. Discuss and submit top two choices for semester research project

For Wed. Feb 11: (1)Discussion questions to prepare for viewing film “Consumed” and (2) discussion questions from assigned reading, William Emmons, “Don’t Expect Consumer Spending to be the Engine of Economic Growth it Once Was.”

I. Read William Emmons, “Don’t Expect Consumer Spending to be the Engine of Economic Growth it Once Was.” William Emmons_Consumer Spending

Be prepared to discuss the following questions from the assigned reading:

1. William Emmons suggests that American consumers may not be able to serve as the engine of economic growth that they did in the prosperous post-war era. What reasons does he cite for this? (paragraph 1)

2.  Emmons notes in the last paragraph on page 1 that “as consumer spending grew rapidly in the U.S., we imported consumer-oriented goods and services even more rapidly.” What problem does Emmons see with this trend?

3. Take a look at the table on pg. 2 that compares the composition of GDP in the U.S. and Canada over time. Looking at the most recent period from 2001 – 2010, what differences do you notice in the percent share of the components of GDP between the two nations (Consumption, Investment, Net exports, Government expenditures)?

4. Emmons identifies five trends working against consumer spending on pg.3. What are these?

II. Questions for discussion of the film, “Consumed: Is Our Consumer Culture Leading Us to Disaster?”

1) The film to be shown in class, followed by discussion will be an important resource leading into our first guest lecturer’s presentation in the next week’s class. After having viewed the film in class,

2) After having viewed the film in class, please be prepared to discuss the following questions in class on Wed. Feb. 11.

1. In the film’s opening remarks, the narrator suggests that our focus on consumerism could lead to environmental disaster. What are your thoughts on this perspective?

2. The film also suggests that in human society, consumerism often means that we “chase status,” often deriving little real satisfaction from this behavior, and that human relationships become secondary. Would you agree/disagree with this argument? Why?

3. Is runaway consumerism a “temporary” stage? Would you agree that “Once people understand their own psychology they will care less about consumption?” Discuss

4. It is argued that consumerism is tied to a “natural human urge,” a way of “structuring human life.” Is consumption a “natural” behavior? Or is it conditioned?

5. The film makes the argument that economic growth, driven by consumer spending, has “become fetishized.” We earn more money, have more choices, then spend more money. What does the commentator mean when stating that consumer spending has become ‘fetishized’?

6. It is argued that we often “display our mental traits through the goods and services we buy and turn them into props,” using them as a way of signaling prestige or a way of attracting others. Your reactions to this view? Would you agree? Disagree? with this perspective? Explain reasoning.

7. It is suggested that in order to promote more environmentally conscious consumption, we need to understand how to psychologically influence changes in behavior. Would you agree? Disagree?

II. Discussion of research project and field research site ideas.

Assignment for Wed. Feb. 4

I. Robert D.Atkinson and Darrene Hackler, Economic Doctrines and Approaches to Climate Change Policy, October 2010

Atkinson-etal-2010-econ-climate-change_theories

Read pages 1-12 (here the authors explain how various economic assumption that are at the heart of different climate change policies (Neoclassical economics; Keynesian economics; Innovation Economics). Then take a look at the following pages from the article: Pgs. 20 – 22; 25 – 29 and 30 – 31; Be prepared for a class discussion on the following questions:

1. What do neoclassical economists believe are the central issues to resolve in addressing the challenges of climate change?
2. Which of the economic concepts (reviewed in last week’s class) are important to the neoclassical view? What are the assumptions of the neoclassical perspective?
3. What is your assessment of the neoclassical perspective? Are the assumptions about human economic behavior and about how to address environmental problems workable in the real world economy? Explain your reasoning.
4. Describe specifically (two or three ways) in which the neo-Keynesian perspective differs from the neoclassical perspective?
5. What do neo-Keynesian economists view as important in addressing the challenges of climate change? Explain
6. What are the principal problems the authors have with both the neoclassical and neo-Keynesian policy proposals for addressing climate change? What are the three arguments 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?
7. The authors discuss what they call “Innovation Economics.” What do Atkinson and Hackler mean by innovation economics? Describe their perspective.

II. Read the two short articles by the IETA and Henry Paulson.

Why Emissions Trading is More Effective Than a Carbon Tax_IETA

The Coming Climate Crash_H Paulson

1. What policy does Henry Paulson advocate for addressing climate change? What is a carbon tax? Why does Paulson believe this policy is workable?
2. 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”?

III. Overview of the carbon tax vs. “cap and trade” (tradable emissions permits.

IV. GROUP PROJECT in class Wed. Feb. 4

   1.What do you believe are the most important issues with respect to current environmental challenges?

2. Would a carbon tax – proposed by Henry Paulson – be an efficient and adequate policy to reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change? Explain your reasoning.
3. Consider the other proposals discussed by Paul Krugman, such as a “cap and trade” system, government subsidies for development of clean energy, and a utility buy-back of unused electricity from consumers’ solar panels. Would any of these (or some combination of these proposals), be efficient in reducing carbon emissions? Explain your reasoning.
4. Which economic theory does the carbon tax proposal seem to best reflect? Explain why. Which economic theory do the proposals for cap and trade and government subsidies for clean energy development seem to most closely reflect? Explain your reasoning.
5. What kind of policy do you believe the so-called “innovation economics” theory would advocate and why?
6. Given the three policy perspectives discussed in the reading, describe what you believe to be the most efficient policy for addressing climate change? (This might be any combination of the policies reviewed). Would your policy include anything suggested by the so-called “innovation economics” perspective? Are there other actions that are not included in the readings that would be efficient?

Be sure to clearly explain your reasoning.

V. Discuss and submit top two choices for semester research project