State parks across the nation are serving more and more visitors while struggling to preserve natural and cultural resources. As demands for tax-generated revenues grow, many state legislatures are cutting appropriations to their park systems. Shrinking funds and growing usage threaten the well-being of all our state parks.
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The Environmental Kuznets Curve: A Primer
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT Executive Summary Since 1991, when economists first reported a systematic relationship between income changes and environmental quality, this relationship, known as the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), has become standard fare in technical conversations about environmental policy (Grossman and Krueger 1991). When first unveiled, EKCs revealed a surprising outcome: Some important indicatorsContinue reading “The Environmental Kuznets Curve: A Primer”
Fish Tales
Using economic reasoning, students solve seven mysteries surrounding the tragic reductions in fish populations.
Cost-Effective Strategies for Land Trusts
Just as businesses provide goods and services, land trusts provide environmental amenities such as wildlife habitat and scenic views. And like businesses, land trusts must keep their costs in check.
Farming for the Future: Agriculture’s Next Generation
Agriculture has proven that it can feed the world. Ever-increasing yields and changing demographics have ensured the cultivation of sufficient food; only distribution remains an obstacle.
Regulation by Litigation: The Diesel Engine Episode
This paper discusses a new form of regulation. Rather than issuing rules, some government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, have started to file lawsuits.
Regulating Air Quality through Litigation: The Diesel Engine Episode
RS-02-3: 2002 By Bruce Yandle, Andrew P. Morriss, and Lea-Rachel Kosnik Summary In recent years, a new form of regulation has emerged. Instead of issuing rules to control the behavior of firms and industries, government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, have been filing lawsuits. Such litigation enables regulatory agencies to make an end-run around congressionalContinue reading “Regulating Air Quality through Litigation: The Diesel Engine Episode”
It’s A Wrap
The search for bio-friendly food packaging material may have finally come to an end. EarthShell has developed a product from limestone, sand, and starch from potatoes or corn that will decompose within a few weeks when exposed to air. This packaging, Ali-ITE, has two distinct advantages over many other new products. Production costs are theContinue reading “It’s A Wrap”
Water Logged
An unlikely treasure lies buried in the cold dark depths of Lake Superior. Its golden hues emanate not from precious metal, but rather old-growth oak, maple, birch, and elm. Scott Mitchen, a professional treasure hunter, is thrilled with his find. During the late 1800s, millions of trees were cut and floated across the lake; however,Continue reading “Water Logged”
Dung Power
British dairy farmers are on the cutting edge of a new power source. The dung from their 5,000 cows is fueling a biogas plant on the north coast of Devon, England. The project is a joint venture between Farmatic of Germany and twenty-eight Devon dairy farmers. The waste is collected and then allowed to fermentContinue reading “Dung Power”