CDAE 237: Economics of SustainabilityCourse Introduction

Joshua FarleyAssoc. Prof, CDAE205 B Morrill Hall

Quotable Quotes from famous economistsAnyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist. Kenneth BouldingEconomics makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master -- Joan Robinson You must learn economics to keep from being snowed by economists --Joan Robinson"But nobody can become a great economist who is only an economist-- and I am even tempted to add that an economist who is only an economist is likely to become a nuisance if not a positive danger." F.A. Hayek

Quotable Quotes from Nobel Laureates". . . economics has become increasingly an arcane branch of mathematics rather than dealing with real economic problems" Milton Friedman[Economics as taught] in America's graduate schools... bears testimony to a triumph of ideology over science. Joseph StiglitzWe live in an uncertain and ever-changing world that is continually evolving in new and novel ways. Standard theories are of little help in this context. Attempting to understand economic, political and social change requires a fundamental recasting of the way we think Douglass North

One more Nobel Laureate, plus a valid critique...There is no reason we cant have a perfectly healthy economy with virtually no resources whatsoever Robert Solowneo-classical economics is a form of brain damage -- Hazel Henderson

Course Overview

ContentWe pick up where CDAE 61 leaves offIntermediate level, problem basedThe allocation of available resources among alternative desirable ends, primarily at macro level

ContentTransdisciplinaryEconomic system is part, not wholeCore issues:Ecological sustainabilityJust distributionEfficient allocation

Course GoalExplore the three basic questions that arise from the definition of economics, particularly as they apply to essential resources with no substitutes:What are the desirable ends towards which society should allocate its scarce resources?What are these scarce resources, and what are their characteristics relevant to allocation? Based on the nature of the scarce resources and human nature and institutions, what allocative mechanisms are best for achieving these desired ends?All economics courses should focus on these questions, or they are not courses in economics by definition

Course ObjectivesApply the theories of ecological economics and market failure to some of the most pressing problems society currently faces: global climate change, peak oil, biodiversity loss, natural resource depletion, and the degradation of ecosystem services.Review empirical studies of human behavior/psychology in order to:Better assess the desirable ends for economic activity;Examine the role of rationality and emotionality in the economic decision process;Scientifically test the neoclassical assumptions underlying human behavior to better understand the potential role of competition and cooperation, selfishness and altruism in economic systems.

Course ObjectivesCritique conventional theories of macroeconomics from empirical validity of underlying assumptions to desirability of theoretical outcomes.Assess the effectiveness of GNP and its alternatives as measures of economic welfare.Analyze the current monetary system, identify its strengths and weaknesses, investigate more sustainable, just and efficient alternatives. Analyze the current distribution of wealth and income and its role in quality of life and economic efficiency. Examine mechanisms for creating a more desirable distribution.Review monetary and fiscal policy, and apply it to ecological economic goals.

Course ObjectivesCritique conventional theories of international economics from empirical validity of underlying assumptions to desirability of theoretical outcomes. Critically analyze theories of international trade and build superior alternatives. Critically review theories and outcomes of globalization, and build a theory of internationalization as an alternative. Analyze international fiscal crises.

Course ObjectivesEvaluate and Design policy tools based on ecological economic principlesInvestigate basic policy principles Evaluate existing policies addressing sustainable scale, just distribution, and economic efficiency. Design new policies for solving specific scale, distribution, and efficiency problemsDevelop professional research and communication skills and actively contribute to creating a more sustainable planet by working on applied projects

Teaching PhilosophyMy goal is not to teach you facts, but to teach you how to think: analysis, synthesis and communicationI don't know all the answers, and no professor does (nor does the boss in any job you'll ever have)In an evolving system, knowledge must also evolve. Much of what I teach is wrong now, or will be in the future. You are not here to absorb and regurgitate, but rather to cogitate and contribute

Course StructureFollows layout of Daly and Farley textbook from Ch. 11 onProblem based projects will follow structure laid out in Farley, Erickson and Daly workbookIntegration of seminar and lecture formatsLectures are meant to stimulate discussionOctober eventsBeyond CapitalismEnvironmental valuationPlanet in 2050

Instructional ApproachHybrid with problem based learningNot all material will relate to project problemsDiscussion and original thinking more important than memorizationCome to class prepared: review think about it and big ideas sectionsI hope to promote systems thinking: Synthesis/integration more important than analysis.Learning pyramid philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

Administrative Stuff

Course ResourcesBlackboard will be used to:Post the syllabus and important announcementsPost required and recommended readings Post and receive assignmentsFacilitate discussions between studentsCommunicate with all of you Receive feedback on the courseKeep track of grades?? http://bb.uvm.edu/Log in like you do for e-mail

Course TextsEcological Economics: Principles and Applications, by Herman Daly and Joshua Farley, Island Press, 2004 ABBREVIATED AS DF IN THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULEFarley, J., J. Erickson and H. Daly (2005). Ecological Economics: A Workbook for Problem-Based Learning. Island Press: Washington, DC. ABBREVIATED AS FED IN THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Contact InfoInstructor: Joshua Farley 205 H Morrill Hall 656-2989Subject line for e-mails must begin with CDAE 237Office Hrs.: Morrill Hall, T-Th, 10:00-12:00 or by appointment

Course RequirementsAttending lecture is necessaryParticipation = 15% of gradeReadings must be done carefully.Main grade based on projectsHomework assignments intended to help you learn material, reflect on material, and contribute to projects

GradingClass Participation:15 pointsGroup discussions:10 points eachHomework assignments:15 pointsNewspaper articles: 10 pointsProject Steps: 12 pointsGroup Presentations: 10 pointsFinal Project:30 pointsPeer Evaluations: 3 points TOTAL ~105 points

AssignmentsAssignments with no graphs will be due via Blackboard. Assignments must be handed in on time. If there is a valid reason you cannot turn an assignment in on time, let me know ahead of time by e-mail.There may be a learning curve on Blackboard

Course Projects

Contribute to Research on Vermonts Common Assets TrustGoal: contribute the background research necessary for Vermonts citizens and legislators to make informed decisions about a common asset trust for VermontObjectives:Identify which resources should be part of the common asset trust based on the criteria of justice, sustainability and efficiency, and identify mechanisms for integrating those assets into the trust.For assets that can be transformed into economic products or left intact to generate ecosystem services, determine how much should be allocated to either use. Determine the optimal allocation method (e.g. regulation, cap and auction, rationing, taxation, etc.), including institutional design and management structure, for each asset.

Research and develop a funding mechanism for salmon restoration in the Puget Sound. Goal: research and design innovative funding mechanisms for salmon restoration, that account for the numerous ecosystem services that restoration projects would provide. Your target is $300 million (I need to check with Earth Economics to find out the time span involved). Objectives:Conduct a literature review on existing tax districts;Conduct a literature review on existing mechanisms for financing watershed management;Create a list of planned infrastructure projects, describe the linkages between these projects and the ecosystem services provided by salmon restoration, and if possible estimate the financial impact on the infrastructure projects. Brainstorm mechanisms for creating a watershed utility along with other financing mechanisms;Submit a complete report on your study to Earth Economics and draft an op-ed piece on your best ideas for Earth Economics to submit to local newspapers.

Ecuador: designing a new economic paradigmGoal: assist Earth Economics in its efforts to develop an alternative development model for Ecuador and other countries.. Objectives:Conduct a literature review on existing development models, paying particular attention to their shortcomings, such as failure to achieve their own goals, the shortcomings of these goals, ecological impacts, and so on;Work out more specific tasks in collaboration with Earth EconomicsBrainstorm alternative approaches to development;Submit a complete report on your study to Earth Economics;Perhaps write an op-ed piece on your best ideas and submit it to various newspapers.

Alternatives to off-shore drilling in the USGoal: research alternatives to off-shore drilling, including the potential for increasing oil production from existing megareserves, and write a campaign proposal for implementing the best alternative.Suggested objectives:Research the average price for enhanced oil recovery from existing reserves;Research the energy returns on energy invested for enhanced recovery;Estimate the net carbon emissions of off-shore drilling vs. enhanced recovery; Determine approximately how much additional oil we could recover using enhanced recovery as compared to off-shore drilling;Estimate the impact on energy dependence;Research existing subsidies for the oil sector;Prepare a campaign proposal for mandating enhanced oil recovery.

Alternatives to off-shore drilling in the USYou may be able to negotiate the scope of work with Earth Economics, shifting your focus towards alternative energy. In particular, they might be interested in looking at the returns on research and development in alternative energy, and contrasting the returns of government supported research that would be freely available to anyone anywhere vs. patented research that forces people to pay monopoly prices for the use of the technology. This is something in which I am particularly interested.

Other Earth Economics ProjectsGo to the Earth Economics Web-site (www.eartheconomics.org) and look at their other projects. If you find one that interests you, I will contact them and set something up.

Class policiesThis is an upper level course. I expect you to act accordingly.

What is Sustainability, and do we want it?Strong sustainability vs. weak sustainabilityEthical issues:Technological advance, like human impact on ecosystems, is inherently unpredictableEcological impacts inherently unpredictable, often irreversible.Implications of IrreversibilityHow can we develop substitutes if we dont even know what we are losing?What we risk: more sport utility vehicles and second homes, or basic necessities

How much do we want it?Do we want to curb our consumption so the future can have more?Would we sacrifice to provide more for those who dont have today?How much of our GNP currently aids developing countries?Is the future more important than the present?Is sustainability a sacrifice?

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