ECON 2713 COINT

Economics of the Natural Environment

An introductory analysis of pollution and the overuse of natural resources. Two ideas are central to the course: (1) A socially optimal level of pollution and/or resource use that is the market level and not zero. (2) The failure of both markets and governments to deliver this level, and the characteristics of institutions that outperform markets and/or governments in isolation.

Instructor: Andrew Davis
Prerequisites:
 ECON 1013 with a grade of C- or better
Course Type: Online; Continuous-intake. Register anytime and learn at your own pace


In this course, we'll build upon core tools developed in a principles of economics or principles of microeconomics course and use those tools to talk logically and clearly about how our economy interacts with our natural surroundings.

Topics include:

  • Market virtues and interventions
  • Carbon taxes and cape-and-trade
  • Using finite natural resources

You'll develop a better sense of how we value public goods and preserving resources for the future, and you'll refine your ability to express ideas from economic insights and logic.