ID: 61745
Title: Global Benefit-Cost Analysis in US Climate Policy.
Author: Joel Darmstadter
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 34-39 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Global, Benefit, Cost, Analysis, US, Climate Policy.
Abstract: The challenge of reaching a workable accord for greenhouse gas emissions abatement depends on an underlying consensus about numerous critical factors, few more central than the policy issue of how most effectively to control those emissions. That means considering the comparative virtues of a carbon (or carbon-equivalent) tax, a tradable permit system or some coexisting hybrid of the two instruments. For a tax, determination of its dollar magnitude is critical. Its estimate is commonly derived from the so-called ?social cost of carbon?-that is, the monetary deterrent against the damage an incremental ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) would otherwise inflict on the world.
The prevailing estimate of the social cost of carbon is about $ 40 per ton of CO2 (or around 45 cents per gallon of gasoline), if imposed beginning in the year 2020.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61744
Title: Are We Becoming Greener?
Author: James W. Boyd and Carolyn Kousky
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 26-33 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: We, Becoming, Greener, Trends, Environmental Desire
Abstract: Do you care more about the environment now than when you were a kid? Do you care more than your parents did? You may think that the answer to both is an obvious yes. After all, people used to litter, live with dirtier air and water, and not recycle. Our grandparents probably never uttered the word ?sustainability?. But does society as a whole, including people in other countries, are more than a generation ago?
The strength of our environmental desires is of central importance to developing efficient and effective environmental policies. Yet the typical assumption in economics is that our desires don ' t change over time. We think about our behavior and choices changing as environmental, technological, and economic conditions change.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61743
Title: How Climate Change Affects Traffic Accidents.
Author: Benjamin Leard and Kevin Roth
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 22-25 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Climate Change, Affects, Traffic, Accidents.
Abstract: Nearly 1.24 million people die in traffic accidents every year around the world. Shifting weather patterns due to climate change, such as warmer temperatures, more rain, and less snow, will exacerbate road safety issues. For example, snowfall and rainfall are widely known to reduce visibility and make braking more difficult, and temperatures may influence the mode, frequency, and types of trips that individuals take. Yet few studies have attempted to document the impact shifting weather patterns will have on traffic accidents, even though the potential costs to society are massive: in 2006, they were the leading cause of death in people between the ages of 4 and 35 in the United States.
To help better estimate the costs of climate change and support the development of appropriate adaptation strategies, we quantified changes in US traffic fatalities, injuries, and property damage that are likely to occur from climate change.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61742
Title: Clearing the Air
Author: Alan J.Krupnick, Joshua Linn, and Kristen McCormack.
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 17-21 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Clearing, Air, Market-Based Policies, US Ozone Limit.
Abstract: High concentrations of ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog, pose serious threats to a large and diverse swath of the US population, causing asthma attacks and other respiratory problems and leading to premature mortality. Approximately 123 million people, or 40 percent of the population, live in areas with ozone levels that exceed the standard set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that had been in effect since 2008.Now the agency has lowered the limit further, from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb, citing adverse health effects that occur at levels lower than the previous limit.
The costs of meeting pollution standards have always been contentious, and the case of zone is no exception. Estimates of the costs of the new limits on the US economy were hotly contested before the rule was finalized.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61741
Title: Dam Construction on International Rivers.
Author: Sheila M.Olmstead and Hilary Sigman
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 14-15 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Dam, construction, international Rivers.
Abstract: ?We will defend each drop of Nile water with our blood if necessary,? proclaimed Mohamed Morsi, then president of Egypt, in June 2013.He was referring to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that Ethiopia has been constructing upstream from Egypt, which may affect the flow of the Nile River into Egypt. The two nations continued to be at stalemate until signing a Declaration of Principles in 2015 that gives Egypt rights to some of the electricity that will be generated from the dam. Intense negotiations still lie ahead.
Even if countries make efficient decisions about dam construction on domestic rivers, countries sharing a river may overdevelop it if they are able to pass on some of the costs imposed by dams to other countries. As the Egypt-Ethiopia dilemma shows, these issues can create the potential for conflict across borders.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61740
Title: The Impacts of Biofuel Mandates on Food Prices and Emissions.
Author: Ujjayant Chakravorty
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 12-13 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Impacts, Biofuel, Mandates, Food and Emissions.
Abstract: More than 40 percent of US corn is now used to produce ethanol, which can be cleaner alternative to gasoline used for transportation. Last summer, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), mandating the continued use of ethanol and other biofuels through 2016.While the new standard maintains the current level of ethanol produced from corn, it increases the use of other biofuels. In particular, EPA ' s target in 2016 for cellulosic biofuel-made from wood by-products and grasses-is six times higher than what was produced in 2014, and the target for total renewable fuels is 10 percent higher.
The European Union has similar mandates in effect. By 2020, it prescribes a 7 percent minimum for biofuels in the transportation sector of every EU nation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61739
Title: Does Bicycle Infrastructure Reduce Traffic Congestion?
Author: Casey J.Wichman
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 6-7 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Bicycle, Infrastructure, Reduce, Traffic, Congestion.
Abstract: Bicycle-sharing systems are gaining popularity in the United States, especially in dense urban areas, such as New York, Washington, and Chicago. Proponents tout these programs as cheap, environmentally friendly, healthy, traffic-reducing alternatives to driving a motorized vehicle. But are They? In new research, Timothy Hamilton (of the University of Richmond) and I find evidence suggesting that the Capital Bikeshare program in Washington, DC, does reduce traffic congestion. This finding is particularly salient after Texas A &M University ' s 2015 Urban Mobility Score-card ranked DC first in congestion, with 82 hours of delays per commuter.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61738
Title: Exploring the Water-Energy Nexus: Water Use for Fossil Fuel Extraction and Processing.
Author: Yusuke Kuwayama
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 3-3 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Exploring, Water-Energy Nexus, Water, Fossil fuel, Extraction, Processing
Abstract: An increase in the production of some fossil fuels in the United States, especially crude oil and natural gas from unconventional sources, has raised concerns about the potential impacts on water resources because producing these fuels can require a significant amount of water.
One way to better understand the water implications of extracting and processing conventional versus unconventional fossil fuels is to analyze their water intensity-the volume of fresh water consumed per unit of energy in the fuel produced.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61737
Title: Building Success in Paris
Author: Phil Sharp
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2016
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 191 2-2 (2016)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Building, Success, Paris
Abstract: Leaders from around the world have just reached a historic agreement to rein in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. One feature of the Paris deal that has attracted significant attention is that it articulates a more ambitious goal than previously negotiated-to limit warming to well below 2? C, aspiring to no more than 15? C.
Given where we are today, staying within that target represents a Herculean effort. But whether we view that goal as unrealistic or appropriately aspirational, the Paris agreement represents a welcome dose of realism to a process that has long been plague by significantly more grandstanding than concrete action.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61736
Title: New Markets under US Vehicle Fuel Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Standards: Credit Trading.
Author: Benjamin Leard and Virginia D.McConnell.
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2015
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 190 42-45 (2015)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: New markets, US vehicle, Fuel efficiency, Greenhouse Gas Standards, Credit Trading.
Abstract: Recent changes to the US Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAF?) Standards are a dramatic departure from previous policy. The changes, established in 2011 jointly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), require automakers to reduce not only fuel consumption but also greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their vehicles-slashing them roughly in half by model year 2025.
Several provisions have been added to give automobile companies more flexibility to meet the standards, which become progressively more stringent over time. New opportunities for trading emissions and fuel consumption credits offer the promise of achieving compliance at lower costs.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61735
Title: Thoughts on the future of Environmental Regulation.
Author: J.Clarence Davies
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2015
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 190 37-41 (2015)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Thoughts, Future, Environmental regulation
Abstract: In the current US political climate, environmental policy, once an area of bipartisan cooperation, has become a partisan battleground. In recent years, despite some progress in a few policy areas, the regulatory agencies have been steadily weakened.
Four federal agencies are primarily responsible for protecting the public from chemical and environmental threats: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).CPSC and OSHA are so lacking in resources and legal authority that they trouble carrying out their missions. FDA ' s resources also are inadequate, and its legal authority in some broad areas, such as cosmetics and nutritional supplements, provides little protection to the American consumer.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61734
Title: Designing Rebates to Protect (Low-income Households under a Carbon Tax)
Author: Chad Stone
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2015
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 190 31-35 (2015)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Low-income, Households, Caron-Tax
Abstract: A carbon tax is a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the resulting higher prices for home energy and gasoline as well as for food and other energy-intensive goods and services can reduce households ' purchasing power. Low-and moderate-income households feel the budget squeeze most acutely; they spend a larger share of their budgets on these items than do higher-income households and are least able to afford new fuel-efficient vehicles, better home weatherization, and energy-saving appliances.
Fortunately, well-designed carbon tax legislation can generate enough revenue to fully offset the impact on the most vulnerable households, cushion the impact for many other households, and leave plenty to spare for other uses-without blunting the price signal that is essential for achieving cost-effective emissions reductions. Providing lump-sum rebates to households is the best way to protect low-income groups. Only-a relatively small portion of carbon tax revenues is needed to fund such a rebate program, leaving most of the revenue available for other purposes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61733
Title: The impacts of a US Carbon Tax (across Income Groups and States.
Author: Roberton C. Williams III, Dallas Burtraw, and Richard D.Morgenstern.
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2015
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 190 25-29 (2015)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Impacts, US, Carbon tax, Income, Groups, and States.
Abstract: This May, six of Europe ' s largest oil and gas companies penned an open letter to the United Nations affirming their support for a carbon price.BG Group, BP, Eni, Shell, Statoil, and Total wrote that although they have already begun participating in carbon markets and applying ?shadow? carbon prices to their investments, national governments ultimately will need to take charge of implementing carbon prices ?even-handedly? to reduce ?uncertainty about investment and disparities in the impact of policy on businesses.?
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61732
Title: The costs of competing Goals in Fishery Management.
Author: Kailin Kroetz and James N.Sanchirico
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2015
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 190 18-24 (2015)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Fishery, Management.
Abstract: In 2015, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration ' s (NOAA ' s) annual census of US commercial fisheries reported that the number of fisheries classifieds overfished had dropped to its lowest number since the census started in 1997.Many lauded the success of approaches in the United States to sustainably managing the nation ' s fisheries-and they specifically credited the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with this progress. Passed in 1976, the Magnuson-Stevens Act is the primarily law in the United States that governs marine fishery management socioeconomic objectives, such as job retention in remote fishing communities. Infact, National Standard 8 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that the design and evaluation of management policies take into account the impacts on fishing jobs and communities in order to sustain participation and minimize adverse economic impacts. Objectives related to the welfare of coastal fishing communities arise due to the dependence of local economies (for example, school attendance and grocery store revenues) on the presence of fishers and their families.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 61731
Title: How costly are driving restrictions programs? Evidence from Mexico City.
Author: Allen Blackman, Francisco Alpizar, Fredrik Carlsson and Marisol Rivera Planter.
Editor: Sarah Aldy
Year: 2015
Publisher: Resources for the future
Source: EWRG, CES
Reference: Resources Issue No. 190 14-15 (2015)
Subject: Resources
Keywords: Costly, Driving, Restrictions, Programs, Evidence, Mexico City.
Abstract: If you think traffic congestion and air pollution are bad where you live, a visit to Mexico City may provide some perspective. The average commuter there spends the equivalent of three 40-hour work weeks stuck in traffic each year. And some sections of the city have unhealthy concentrations of every major pollutant.
Perhaps not surprisingly, government officials in Mexico City have resorted to heavy-handed tactics to deal with these problems. Among them is the ?Day Without Driving? (Hoy No Circula) program, which since 1989 has banned some vehicles from driving one workday each week (and since 2008 one Saturday each month) , depending on the last digit of the license plate.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None