Environmental Economics: A Very Short Introduction

Business & Finance, Economics, Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature
Cover of the book Environmental Economics: A Very Short Introduction by Stephen Smith, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen Smith ISBN: 9780191620294
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: September 22, 2011
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Stephen Smith
ISBN: 9780191620294
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: September 22, 2011
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

If environmental protection is costly, how much should we spend on pollution control? Is it worth reducing pollution to zero, or should we accept some level of pollution because of the economic benefits associated with it? How can we assess the benefits that people get from a less-polluted atmosphere? In broad terms, environmental economics looks at how economic activity and policy affect the environment in which we live. Some production generates pollution, such as power station emissions causing acid rain and contributing to global warming, but household consumption decisions also affect the environment, where more consumption can mean more waste sent to polluting incinerators. However, pollution is not an inevitable consequence of economic activity - environmental policies can require polluting firms to clean up their emissions, and can encourage people to change their behaviour, through environmental taxes on polluting goods, for example. Generally, though, these measures will involve some costs, such as installing pollution control equipment. So there's a trade-off: a cleaner environment, but economic costs. In recent years, many economists have argued for greater use of incentive in the form of pollution charges and emissions trading rather than more traditional direct regulation of polluters. In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen Smith discusses environmental issues including pollution control, reducing environmental damage, and global climate change policies, answering questions about how we should balance environmental and economic considerations, and what form government policies should take. Including many illustrative case studies and examples he shows that this is an exciting field of economics, and one that is at the heart of many public debates and controversies. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

If environmental protection is costly, how much should we spend on pollution control? Is it worth reducing pollution to zero, or should we accept some level of pollution because of the economic benefits associated with it? How can we assess the benefits that people get from a less-polluted atmosphere? In broad terms, environmental economics looks at how economic activity and policy affect the environment in which we live. Some production generates pollution, such as power station emissions causing acid rain and contributing to global warming, but household consumption decisions also affect the environment, where more consumption can mean more waste sent to polluting incinerators. However, pollution is not an inevitable consequence of economic activity - environmental policies can require polluting firms to clean up their emissions, and can encourage people to change their behaviour, through environmental taxes on polluting goods, for example. Generally, though, these measures will involve some costs, such as installing pollution control equipment. So there's a trade-off: a cleaner environment, but economic costs. In recent years, many economists have argued for greater use of incentive in the form of pollution charges and emissions trading rather than more traditional direct regulation of polluters. In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen Smith discusses environmental issues including pollution control, reducing environmental damage, and global climate change policies, answering questions about how we should balance environmental and economic considerations, and what form government policies should take. Including many illustrative case studies and examples he shows that this is an exciting field of economics, and one that is at the heart of many public debates and controversies. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of the Responsibility to Protect by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book A Phenomenology of the Devout Life by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book Making Amulets Christian by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book Trustee Decision Making: The Rule in Re Hastings-Bass by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of the Cold War by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book The Littlehampton Libels by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book The Fourth Revolution by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book A Confusion of the Spheres by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book The Nature of Philosophical Problems by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book Employment Contracts in Private International Law by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book Industries without Smokestacks by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book The Religious Lives of Older Laywomen by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book The English Constitution by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book La Débâcle by Stephen Smith
Cover of the book Belief by Stephen Smith
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy