The environmental impact of human activity does not often not factor into the prices of goods and services we buy. But it can impose measurable costs. Our articles explore the economic rationale for government intervention in environmental policy; the costs and benefits of environmental regulation; energy policy; the financial and economic issues raised by climate-related disasters; and equity issues related to the environment.
January 21, 2020
Climate change presents risks stemming from increased frequency of extreme weather events and transition risks resulting from rapid repricing of financial assets.
December 9, 2019
Michael Klein (EconoFact) and Gilbert Metcalf (Tufts) highlight that curbing greenhouse gas emissions does not have to come at the cost of economic growth.
October 18, 2019
A growing literature shows that breathing dirty air can raise medical costs, shorten lifespans, hinder learning and hurt our ability to make everyday decisions.
September 19, 2019
Michael Klein, Executive Editor of EconoFact and Gilbert Metcalf (Tufts) discuss some of the challenges of implementing a carbon tax in the U.S
May 3, 2019
More than 25 national or subnational carbon tax systems have been implemented or scheduled around the world. Lessons are emerging from their implementation and their impact on emissions.
April 20, 2019
The relationship between temperature and greenhouse gas emissions can be analyzed using economic methods, which provide external validation of climate models.
October 15, 2018
Sea level rise and coastal development mean a higher share of population and property are at risk of severe flooding. The nation’s flood insurance program is in the red.
August 27, 2018
The U.S. electric sector is shifting into something that is more low-carbon, distributed, cheaper, more resilient, and reliable than a centralized grid.
June 3, 2018
Oil prices in May, 2018 were 50 percent higher than they were in 2017. While some blame Saudi Arabia and OPEC, the economic crisis in Venezuela and the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal have contributed to rising oil prices.