Environmental Econ: Crash Course Economics #22
TLDRThis economics video examines environmental economics and how to balance prosperity and growth with protecting natural resources. It focuses on carbon emissions as a key pollutant driving climate change. Proposed solutions include global cooperation to enforce environmental regulations, decreasing demand for fossil fuels by increasing costs or finding cheaper alternatives like solar and wind, and addressing the rebound effect where efficiency gains are offset by increased consumption. It notes that government intervention through taxes, subsidies, and caps can help address market failures, and that countries and companies are investing more in renewables, but real progress requires commitment from industries, governments, and individuals.
Takeaways
- π Pollution is an inevitable byproduct of human existence, but we should still aim to reduce it
- πΏ Greenhouse gases like CO2 are causing climate change by blanketing the Earth
- π Transportation and energy production are major sources of air pollution
- π‘ Simple economic solutions: decrease supply of dirty tech/fuels or decrease demand
- π€ Implementation requires global cooperation, which has had mixed results historically
- π° Governments can manipulate markets to incentivize pollution reduction
- π Renewable energy is growing, but still a small fraction of total consumption
- π Fuel efficiency gains could be offset by increased driving (rebound effect)
- π Most countries now recognize the climate change problem
- π©βπ©βπ§βπ§ Cooperation between governments, industries and individuals is needed
Q & A
What are some ways that governments can encourage people to pollute less?
-Governments can encourage less pollution by adding taxes to purchases that cause pollution, like gasoline, or providing subsidies for cleaner options, like electric cars. They can also create permit markets to limit emissions from companies.
What is the rebound effect in economics?
-The rebound effect refers to how the benefits of increased energy efficiency can be offset by changes in consumer behavior. For example, buying a more fuel efficient car may lead to driving more. This can reduce the expected gains from energy saving technology.
What are some international efforts to address climate change?
-There are international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol that commit countries to reducing emissions. The UN is working on a new climate agreement for 2015. Countries like China are also investing in renewable energy.
How can economics help address environmental problems?
-Economics provides tools to analyze incentives and figure out the most effective policies. It considers how consumers and producers will respond to different regulations and market changes.
What causes carbon dioxide emissions?
-The main sources of carbon dioxide emissions are burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This happens in electricity production, industrial processes, and vehicles with combustion engines.
What share of energy currently comes from renewable sources?
-As of 2014, around 10% of energy consumed globally came from renewable sources. This includes solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and other renewable sources.
What are some ways to decrease the supply and demand for fossil fuels?
-Supply could be decreased by limiting extraction and production. Demand could be decreased by using taxes or permit markets to make fossil fuels more expensive, or subsidizing the development of cheaper alternative energy sources.
What market failure contributes to pollution?
-Pollution represents a negative externality, which is a market failure. The full costs of pollution are not incorporated into market prices, leading to overproduction of goods that cause pollution.
What is the Tragedy of the Commons?
-The Tragedy of the Commons refers to how commonly owned resources tend to be overused. With the global atmosphere, countries have little incentive to limit pollution since no one owns the air.
What are some critiques of solutions to reduce fossil fuel use?
-Some argue the rebound effect can offset efficiency gains. Also, governments picking which new energy tech to invest in may not choose the most cost effective options. Simply waiting for technologies to develop can be slow.
Outlines
π Introduction to Environmental Economics
Adriene Hill and Jacob Clifford introduce the concept of environmental economics in this episode of Crash Course Economics, emphasizing the importance of balancing prosperity and growth with the need to protect natural resources. They discuss how economics can contribute to understanding and solving environmental issues, focusing specifically on carbon dioxide emissions and their role in climate change. The segment outlines the basic economic approach to addressing pollution, including identifying sources and reducing supply or demand, while also highlighting the complexities involved in implementing such policies. The discussion then moves to government intervention and various strategies to encourage less pollution, such as setting pollution limits, providing price incentives, and supporting the development of alternative energy sources. Despite the current reliance on fossil fuels, there's a push towards renewable energy, with predictions for increased consumption from renewable sources by 2040.
π‘ Energy Efficiency and Consumer Behavior
This section delves into the concept of energy efficiency and the potential counterproductive consequences known as the rebound effect. Using the example of Hank, who buys a fuel-efficient car to save on gas and reduce pollution, the narrative explains how energy savings can lead to increased consumption and emissions due to changed behavior and market responses. Despite these challenges, the segment emphasizes the importance of continuing to invest in energy-saving technologies while considering consumer behavior. It concludes on an optimistic note, mentioning global efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions through international treaties, investments in green technology, and the collective responsibility of industries, governments, and individuals to enact change. The role of environmental economists in shaping policies that account for human behavior and market dynamics is also highlighted.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Pollution
π‘Externalities
π‘Climate change
π‘Market failure
π‘Government intervention
π‘Carbon emissions
π‘Renewable energy
π‘Rebound effect
π‘Tragedy of the Commons
π‘Negative externalities
Highlights
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Transcripts
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