316-324 Environmental Economics

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• extend their knowledge of environmental economics via the independent study of books and articles dealing with theory and policy in this area and by taking advanced subjects dealing with these matters;

• judge the usefulness and the limitations of existing theory in the area of environmental economics;

• critically evaluate contemporary policy debates in this area with reference to economic principles as applied to the analysis of the environment.

Content:

Environmental issues will be addressed with the aid of economic theory. Topics include: sustainability of economies; pollution as an externality; approaches to dealing with pollution in different countries; methods of valuing the environment and environmental damage; environmental ethics and future generations; the use and depletion of renewable and non-renewable natural resources; the environment and economic development.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• D W Pearce and R K Turner, Economics and Natural Resources and the Environment, Harvester Wheatsheaf 1990.