Explorations

The text gives a good introduction to Environmental Economics. Not everyone seems to think that economics has much to contribute to the analysis of environmental problems. When David Suzuki, the noted environmentalist and director of the David Suzuki Foundation visited Wilfrid Laurier University in the late 1990's, he noted that "Economics was a form of brain disease." Based on the questions I get about my course called Environmental Economics, this preconception, at least about Environmental Economics, is not uncommon.
     Part of our task is to help you understand how applying some key economic concepts like externalities help us understand the cause of environmental problems better and design more effective environmental policies.

Economic Development and the Environment
One of the most controversial questions discussed by economists and non-economists alike is the question of the relation of increased economic activity and the environment. The common preconception of many citizens is that economic development must be bad for the environment, but as the text mentions, the story is not as clear as one might expect because of a number of influences.

• The Skeptical Environmentalist
• Canada, US undercutting green gains, UN study says