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Environmental Economics (environmental + economics)
Selected AbstractsExperiments in Environmental Economics and Some Close RelativesJOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 3 2006Bodo Sturm Abstract., It is not only the great number of papers written on environment economics that make it worth dealing with this special branch of experimental research, but the environmental problem in all its facets seems to serve as a catalyst for identifying some methodological problems of the experimental method. For this reason, we will not only try to give an overview of recent experiments in environmental economics but also add some thoughts on the methodological implications of this work. We identify three direct connecting factors for the experimental method and environmental economics. First, social dilemmas are, in many cases, at the core of environmental problems. Experiments are able to test theoretical hypotheses for individual behavior in such social dilemma situations. The second connecting factor comes from the field of applied experimental work and can be characterized as the testbedding of institutional arrangements for the solution of environmental problems. The last direct application of experimental methods to environmental economics concerns the individual evaluation of environmental resources. [source] Empirical implications of response acquiescence in discrete-choice contingent valuationHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 10 2006Raymond Y. T. Yeung Abstract The use of discrete-choice contingent valuation (CV) to elicit individuals' preference, expressed as maximum willingness-to-pay (WTP), although primarily developed in environmental economics, has been popular in the economic evaluation of health and healthcare. However, a concern with this method is the potential for ,over-estimating' WTP values due to the presence of response acquiescence, or ,yea-saying' bias. Based on a CV survey conducted to estimate physicians' valuation of clinic computerization, the extent of such bias was estimated from a within-sample open-ended valuation question following the respondents' discrete choice response. Analysis of this data suggests that not only was response acquiescence an issue, but also that the parametric estimation of mean and median WTP, the most common approach to estimating WTP from discrete-choice data, would potentially magnify such bias (to various degrees depending on the distributional assumptions applied). The possible extent of CV design versus analysis in discrete-choice methods therefore warrants further exploration. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Estimating the monetary value of health care: lessons from environmental economicsHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2003Nick Hanley In the recent past, considerable effort in health economics has been made on applying stated preference methods such as contingent valuation and choice experiments. Despite this increased use, there is still considerable scepticism concerning the value of these approaches. The application of contingent valuation in environmental economics has a long history and has been widely accepted. Whilst choice experiments were introduced to the environmental and health economics literature at a similar time, the wider acceptance of monetary measures of benefit in environmental economics has meant that they have also been more widely applied. The purpose of this paper is to identify some of the key issues and debates that have taken place in the environmental economics literature, summarise the state of the art with respect to these issues, and consider how health economists have addressed these issues. Important areas for future research in health economics are identified. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessing the Consequences of Converting to Organic AgricultureJOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2001Tim O'Riordan In the wake of the public controversy over genetically modified crops, organic production is sometimes hailed as the true "sustainable agriculture". Its advocates claim that it enriches biodiversity, increases soil "health" and provides more nutritious foods. This paper summarises the results of a three year, multi-disciplinary study of one major unit undergoing transition from non-organic to full organic status. Researchers examined whole farm nutrient budgets, insect diversity and the wider environmental economics of organic production compared with non-organic management. The result was a mid-term example of multi-disciplinary science, though some way short of interdisciplinary science. The evidence suggests that organic production can result in measurable environmental gains, which can be valued in economic terms. The full environmental account, however, remains elusive. Yet its significance could prove vital for the future of diversified rural economies in the UK Interdisciplinary minded agricultural and environmental economists are encouraged to extend this pilot initiative in the light of the important policy contribution that such additional research could provide for the improved valuation of sustainable agriculture. The authors conclude that there is a plausible case for an Organic Stewardship Scheme attached to the Rural Development Regulation. [source] Experiments in Environmental Economics and Some Close RelativesJOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 3 2006Bodo Sturm Abstract., It is not only the great number of papers written on environment economics that make it worth dealing with this special branch of experimental research, but the environmental problem in all its facets seems to serve as a catalyst for identifying some methodological problems of the experimental method. For this reason, we will not only try to give an overview of recent experiments in environmental economics but also add some thoughts on the methodological implications of this work. We identify three direct connecting factors for the experimental method and environmental economics. First, social dilemmas are, in many cases, at the core of environmental problems. Experiments are able to test theoretical hypotheses for individual behavior in such social dilemma situations. The second connecting factor comes from the field of applied experimental work and can be characterized as the testbedding of institutional arrangements for the solution of environmental problems. The last direct application of experimental methods to environmental economics concerns the individual evaluation of environmental resources. [source] A Rawlsian Approach to International CooperationKYKLOS INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2005Wolfgang Buchholz SUMMARY Both the economic theory of federalism and international environmental economics are interested in finding conditions under which countries or groups of countries would like to start cooperation with other countries. In the framework of the standard public-good model this paper presents a criterion for individually rational and thus voluntary international cooperation aiming at the provision of an international public good. This basic criterion can be traced back to Wicksell and Rawls and reflects the idea of reciprocity. In a further step, it is used to specify determinants that affect the decision of a group of countries to enter a coalition. It turns out that in this context the adjustment behavior of the original coalition members as well as that of the remaining outsiders is of particular importance. Finally the theoretical considerations are confronted with actual behavior of countries and groups of countries (as the EU, US and the developing countries) in the Kyoto process leading to a discussion of further prospects for global climate-change policy. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Sowohl in der Ökonomischen Theorie des Föderalismus als auch in der Internationalen Umweltöko-nomik wird nach Bedingungen gesucht, unter denen Länder oder Ländergruppen bereit sind, in eine Kooperationsbeziehung mit anderen Ländern einzutreten. Der vorliegende Aufsatz entwickelt zu-nächst , im Rahmen des Standardmodells aus der Theorie öffentlicher Güter , ein allgemeines Kri-terium für freiwillige individuell rationale Kooperation mit dem Ziel der Bereitstellung eines inter-nationalen öffentlichen Gutes. Dieses Kriterium beruht auf dem Reziprozitäts-Gedanken und greift auf Fairness-Konzepte von Wicksell und Rawls zurück. Mit seiner Hilfe lassen sich einzelne Bestim-mungsfaktoren identifizieren, von denen es abhängt, ob sich für eine Ländergruppe der Beitritt zu einer internationalen Umweltkoalition lohnt. Dabei kommt sowohl dem Anpassungsverhalten der ur-sprünglichen Koalitions-Mitglieder als auch dem der nicht-kooperativen Au,enseiter entscheidende Bedeutung zu. Die theoretischen Überlegungen werden schlie,lich dazu verwendet, das aktuelle Ver-halten von Ländern und Ländergruppen (insbesondere der EU, der USA und der Entwicklungsländer) im Rahmen des Kyoto-Prozesses zu interpretieren und eine Einschätzung möglicher Zukunftspers-pektiven der globalen Klimaschutzpolitik zu geben. [source] Australasian environmental economics: contributions, conflicts and ,cop-outs',AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2005Jeff Bennett Australian and New Zealand environmental economists have played a significant role in the development of concepts and their application across three fields within their subdiscipline: non-market valuation, institutional economics and bioeconomic modelling. These contributions have been spurred on by debates within and outside the discipline. Much of the controversy has centred on the validity of valuations generated through the application of stated preference methods such as contingent valuation. Suggestions to overcome some shortcomings in the work of environmental economists include the commissioning of a sequence of non-market valuation studies to fill existing gaps to improve the potential for benefit transfer. [source] | ||||||||||