Exploration of climate change through an economics and policy lens. We will study the economic causes and consequences of climate change. We will examine existing and potential climate policies and behaviors to mitigate and adapt to climate change, both with a focus on equity and efficiency.
Athena Title
Climate Change Econ and Policy
Prerequisite
AAEC 2580 or AAEC 2580E or ECON 2106 or ECON 2106E or ECON 2106H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will understand the basic science behind human-induced climate change along with the uncertainties involved.
By the end of this course, students will be able to explain the key defining features that make climate change the global public “bad” par excellence.
By the end of this course, students will be able to interpret the measurement and scope of climate change damages.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe the economic costs and distributional implications of climate change.
By the end of this course, students will understand and evaluate the potential of the policy instruments studied in this course to facilitate climate change mitigation and adaptation.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify barriers to the implementation of climate change solutions, both domestically, in the context of political acceptability, and internationally, in the context of international environmental agreements.
Topical Outline
Causes and consequences of climate change
a. Introduction to climate science
b. Defining concepts: externalities, public goods, discounting, uncertainty, and globality
c. Climate change damages and their distribution
Economic approaches to mitigating climate change
a. Market-based policies (carbon pricing)
b. Technology policies
c. Industry focus: agriculture, energy, and transportation
Adapting to climate change
a. Adaptation policies, tools, and behaviors: the role of governments and individuals
b. Adaptation to extreme weather events
c. Industry focus: agriculture
