Research in this area spans the broad field of environmental and natural resource economics, focusing on current policy challenges, and understanding the cost and impact of protecting some of our most valuable global assets.
In a time of increased understanding of the connections and tradeoffs between environment and development, we work on policy topics including energy markets, climate policy, and the environmental impacts of trade. Our faculty also work on non-market valuation, understanding how people use and value resources, and informing policies designed to protect them. Research also includes environmental justice issues, institutions and property rights, land trusts, conservation easements, and fisheries.
We are proud that two of the major journals in the field, the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and Land Economics, are edited by AAE faculty.
Environmental and Resource Economics News
Modern slavery contaminates global supply chains for Brazilian beef and leather
Graduate student Tara Mittelberg and colleagues found that a policy for reducing forced labor in Brazil’s cattle industry needs better enforcement to be effective.
The enduring economic consequences of childhood lead exposure
Dustin Frye and Gisella Kagy analyzed several waves of U.S. census data to estimate how childhood exposure to waterborne lead affected adult employment status and wages.
The value of water quality regulation in small-town America
Rhiannon Jerch studied how federal requirements to reduce surface water pollution affected city budgets, water quality and population growth.
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