Environmental Economics

JANUARY 30, 2017

From the "text of executive order on eliminating rules": (b) For fiscal year 2017, which is in progress, the heads of all agencies are directed that the total incremental cost of all new regulations, including repealed regulations, to be finalized this year shall be no greater than zero, unless otherwise required by law or consistent with advice provided in writing by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Director). (c)

Regulating 163

Regulating 2017 Progressive Economic 163

Hug a Tree with Me

JANUARY 2, 2017

Our first giveaway of the year is our Romantic Bergamot Rose Spa Box filled with handmade beauty items to make you look and feel beautifully relaxed. The box includes: one Bergamot Rose soap bar, one bergamot rose bath bomb, two bath teas, one solid perfume, one container of whipped body butter, one stainless steel soap dish, one small loofah and our “Relax” zine. This spa box is available on our Etsy shop for $34.50, however, no purchase is required for this giveaway. It is opened to all U.S

Giveaway 148

Giveaway 2017 Etsy Handmade 148

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2017

Joshua Malbin has been birding in Brooklyn, NY for more than 10 of his 15-plus years doing it so far. He’s been working as a writer and editor for almost 20, and has contributed fiction and nonfiction to more than a dozen online and print journals. He cohosts the independent comics review podcast Comics for Grownups and has self-published a novel about water wars in the western U.S. Another is in the works. .

New York City 182

New York City New York 2017 Home 182

Indigenize

FEBRUARY 14, 2017

The following is an essay written by my contradancing pal Lynn Ungar. She reframes love from an exclusive romantic destination to a daily practice for everyone. Spiritual Ecopsychology The Wheel of the Year love Lynn Ungar spiritual practice UU valentines day

2017 122

2017 122

Green (Living) Review

JULY 4, 2017

by Michael Smith (Veshengro) On those boxes we can see greenwash in action almost in the extreme. All those containers are marked with the recyclable logo and the imprint “recyclable” and while they are recyclable when they haven't been used the fact is that, once those containers have come into contact with foods, which is the case once they are in our hands, and thus have gotten food residue and/or fat on them, they can no longer be recycled.

2017 159

2017 Food Landfills Plastic Bags 159

Blue Earth

MARCH 5, 2017

This is not really surprising because it matches my theory that electrons win over molecules - in this case heavy atoms, but you catch my drift. Bitcoin offers so many advantages over gold as a currency. It travels the globe in microseconds and can be authenticated without an assay

2017 100

2017 100

Green Furniture Home Design

FEBRUARY 15, 2017

If you’re lucky enough to have an actual dining room in your home that can accommodate a large dining table, you should consider getting one that’s made from reclaimed, recycled or sustainably harvested wood. These kind of tables have a rustic modern charm, and fit well into a number of different decor styles, from a country style home, to a modern, minimalist living space. Take a look at some of the different styles of rustic dining room tables that are available these days!

Reclaim 133

Reclaim Reclaiming 2017 Furniture 133

Eccorazzi

JUNE 21, 2017

On Saturday June 10th, ten thousand people helped prove that there’s success in promoting veganism, and tons of fun to be had doing it. We’re still coming out of our food coma from a day of enjoying the incredible vegan feast that was on offer at the second annual Chicago Vegan Food & Drink Festival. Vendors lined the field, treating all in attendance to the best burgers, ice cream, beers, and more from across Chicago and beyond.

Chicago 85

Chicago 2017 Milwaukee Portland 85

Environmental Economics

DECEMBER 11, 2017

A pet peeve of mine as an economist is giving too much credit to the current quarterback , er.President for [economic] wins and too much blame for [economic] losses.    To give a better picture of what's going on with the economy, here are some graphs of the past decade of select economic data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve.      I'll leave it to others to draw conclusions. 1) Median Household Income in the U.S.

2017 159

2017 St. Louis Economic Economical 159

Environmental Economics

JANUARY 11, 2017

From the Borowitz Report: As America’s bridges, roads, and other infrastructure dangerously deteriorate from decades of neglect, there is a mounting sense of urgency that it is time to build a giant wall. Across the U.S., whose rail system is a rickety antique plagued by deadly accidents, Americans are increasingly recognizing that building a wall with Mexico, and possibly another one with Canada, should be the country’s top priority.

2017 158

2017 National Mexico Washington 158

Environmental Economics

MAY 9, 2017

Then your publication chance is much lower: Abstract: This paper employs a unique dataset on articles, authors and editors of the top general interest journals in economics to investigate the role of social connections in the publication process. Ties between editors and authors are identified based on their academic histories. About 43% of the articles published in these journals are authored by scholars connected to one editor at the time of the publication.

2017 150

2017 Economic Economical Economics 150

Environmental Economics

NOVEMBER 1, 2017

And then there's this. Citing the risk of conflicts of interest, the EPA administrator instituted  a sweeping change  to the agency’s core system of advisory panels on Tuesday, restricting membership to scientists who don’t receive EPA grants. In practice, the move represents “a major purge of independent scientists,” Terry F. Yosie, chair of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board during the Reagan administration,  told the Washington Post.

2017 148

2017 Ozone Texas Regulating 148

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 12, 2017

Starting in the mid-1990s, there was a “where to watch birds in…” series of five site guides written by Nigel Wheatley and covering South America (1994), Africa (1995), Asia (1996), Europe & Russia (2000) and Central America & the Caribbean (2001). I was always curious, but never had a chance to study any of them. Anyway, they are heavily outdated by now.

Africa 177

Africa 2017 Botswana Namibia 177

Indigenize

JUNE 22, 2017

Contra dancers, if you’ve ever been curious about dancing the other gender role, I have published a new article with co-author Erik Erhardt about how to optimally pull it off. We of course offer tips for smooth swapping points and the like, yet our main point is the “prime directive” of keeping neighbors, shadows, […]. Arts Dance cdss contra dance Erik Erhardt gender respect role swapping

2017 116

2017 116

Green (Living) Review

FEBRUARY 12, 2017

by Michael Smith (Veshengro) The great majority of people, I am sure, firmly believe that the glass bottles and glass jars, of which they so diligently remove the labels and then put out for the kerbside recycling pick-up are going to make new glass bottles and -jars. But this is a myths that needs busting.

Glass 159

Glass 2017 Recycle Recycling 159

Blue Earth

MARCH 5, 2017

“CRISPR Cures Anemia” - [link

2017 100

2017 100

Environmental Economics

NOVEMBER 28, 2017

A cool new paper is the first (?) to use a discrete choice experiment in the AER: Mas, Alexandre, and Amanda Pallais. 2017. "Valuing "Valuing Alternative Work Arrangements." " American Economic Review, 107(12): 3722-59. Abstract: We employ a discrete choice experiment in the employment process for a national call center to estimate the willingness to pay distribution for alternative work arrangements relative to traditional office positions.

2017 146

2017 2016 Economic Economical 146

Nature Conservancy - Science

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Could the loud but small pine squirrel have an outsized impact on how Western U.S. forests look? Wildlife Birds Forests Mammals Natural History Nature Pop Research

Forest 87

Forest 2017 Impact Wildlife 87

3DPrint.com

DECEMBER 26, 2017

Ever since we have discovered how to harness. the powerful energy contained within the nucleus of an atom, we have been using it – for both positive and negative purposes. Nuclear energy is an affordable, efficient and reliable option of generating power for many countries. But the dangerous side of the nuclear waste still casts a shadow over its widespread use. It is the troublesome disposal of the waste that remains an unsolved (perhaps even unsolvable) riddle.

Nuclear 82

Nuclear Waste 2017 Belarus 82

Environmental Economics

APRIL 7, 2017

Guest Post by David Kaczan, Anna Birkenbach, and Marty Smith. Economists regularly turn to one famous example when making the case for property rights in fisheries: Alaskan halibut. In the early 1990s, the halibut derby was madness. At the approved moment, thousands of boats would race each other out of Alaskan harbors.

Fisheries 146

Fisheries 2017 South Carolina North Carolina 146

Environmental Economics

APRIL 3, 2017

I know this isn't environmental, but it's policy related, and I find the health insurance policy debate interesting, and I think market-based policy can go a long way toward solving environmental issues and health care, and just because it's not environmental hasn't stopped us from posting about it before, and it's my blog and I'll blog if I want to.

2017 146

2017 Conserve Conservation Health 146

Environmental Economics

MARCH 22, 2017

See for yourself: [link]. And here is the information on the survey and panel: This panel explores the extent to which economists agree or disagree on major public policy issues. To assess such beliefs we assembled this panel of expert economists. Statistics teaches that a sample of (say) 40 opinions will be adequate to reflect a broader population if the sample is representative of that population.

2017 138

2017 Professions President Economic 138

Environmental Economics

AUGUST 15, 2017

Is "environmental benefit denier" a term ( Scott Pruitt Is Carrying Out His E.P.A. Agenda in Secret, Critics Say )? Mr. Pruitt’s efforts to undo a major water protection rule are one example of his moves to quickly and stealthily dismantle regulations.

2017 136

2017 Environmental Wetlands Mississippi 136

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2017

There should be thousands of birds at this time of the year, Dimitris Michalakis from the Karla Lake management authority told me. In early August this year, I saw 77 species here (69 on the lake, plus 8 more in the surrounding areas) but barely more than a thousand individuals. Located in Thessaly province in central Greece, what is now left of the lake where the god Apollo was married and where the Argonauts built their kingdom is officially called the reservoirs of the former Lake Karla.

Greece 176

Greece Lakes 2017 Wetlands 176

Indigenize

AUGUST 21, 2017

96% totality experienced. Even at that much shadowed occultation, the sun offered a surprising amount of light. The profound takeaway I got is this: If we consider the parallels between the larger natural world and our own psyches, it’s a sweet reminder that even if we’ve sabotaged our lives a lot through our own BS […]. Spiritual Ecopsychology eclipse ecopsychology hope innate goodness nature original nature perspective

2017 100

2017 100

Green (Living) Review

JULY 23, 2017

by Michael Smith (Veshengro) The pathological consumption of the majority, for I do know that not all participate in it, has become so normalized that we scarcely notice it. The way the majority buys things that is, aside from the essentials, with which we are not concerned really when it comes to consumption for we all have to eat, have at least some clothes to wear, need toilet paper and other things.

2017 157

2017 Capitalism Upcycle Trash 157

Environmental Economics

MARCH 14, 2017

This is a from a chapter in a book edited by Bruno Frey and David Iselin titled Economic Ideas You Should Forget :  Contingent Valuation, Willingness to Pay, and Willingness to Accept. Victor Ginsburgh. Abstract. Contingent

Economic 136

Economic Economical Economics 2017 136

Environmental Economics

JANUARY 11, 2017

John has posted a couple of times about replication in economics journal articles. Elsevier, who may be taking the lead in encouraging replication , is putting out a special issue on replication in Energy Economics :  In this special issue, we will particularly welcome two types of papers, without excluding other forms of replication (Clemens 2015). First, we would like to see replication of older but prominent research.

2017 133

2017 Economic Economical Economics 133

Nature Conservancy - Science

SEPTEMBER 11, 2017

Protected forests, like the one at High Mountain Preserve and others yet to be found, give bats that were devastated by white-nose syndrome room to reproduce and recover. From the Field Wildlife Bats Bioacoustics Disease & Parasites Mammals Protected Areas Research Technology

New Jersey 87

New Jersey 2017 Preservation Forest 87

Environmental Economics

MAY 12, 2017

Making American Great Again: Two scientists have resigned from an Environmental Protection Agency advisory board to protest agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s removal  of their colleagues. Carlos Martín , a senior research associate at the Urban Institute’s Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, and Peter B. Meyer, president of the E.P.

2017 130

2017 Meyers Industry Pennsylvania 130

Environmental Economics

APRIL 10, 2017

New York just passed free college tuition --equating college education today to high school of the past: "Today, college is what high school was -- it should always be an option even if you can't afford it," Governor Cuomo said in a statement.  

2017 130

2017 New York 130

Environmental Economics

APRIL 1, 2017

The RePEc blog: Many academic departments in economics require from their junior faculty to publish in top 5 journals in order to gain tenure or get promotions. The top departments ask for several such articles, lower ranked ones may ask for only one. However, the space available in those journals is very limited, a couple hundred articles a year.

2017 130

2017 Economic Economical Economics 130

Environmental Economics

JANUARY 18, 2017

I've used this list  a number of times on this blog (most recently here with, I must say, a nice comment on the economics of the industry): Jeffrey Beall, the University of Colorado, Denver, librarian who has since 2008 chronicled “potential, possible, or probable” predatory publishers, has — at least for now — pulled the plug on his influential, and at times controversial, site.

2017 130

2017 Denver Colorado 2008 130

Environmental Economics

JANUARY 11, 2017

This isn't anything new, but I thought it was worth posting. Economists in the National Center for Environmental Economics, where I work may be able to participate in RFAs from other federal agencies. I am lucky to work with some VERY smart people and maybe you could, too.

Participant 130

Participant Participating 2017 United States 130

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2017

On Dec. 27, 2015 Christian Gutierrez, Raymond Justice, and Carter Mesker went on a camping trip to Ka’ena Point Natural Area Reserve on Oahu, Hawaii. Ka’ena Point is also a breeding ground for the Federally protected Laysan albatross, where 45 nests were being carefully monitored by the non-profit Pacific Rim Conservation. Laysan albatrosses are ocean-dwelling seabirds who have 6-foot wingspans, weigh 7-8 pounds, occasionally sleep while flying, and rarely land except to raise their chicks.

2017 176

2017 Honolulu Hawaii 2016 176

Environmental Economics

MAY 8, 2017

2017 126

2017 126

Green (Living) Review

FEBRUARY 20, 2017

It doesn’t even require nails. f you’ve already constructed Ikea desks and chairs , then it’s time to take your skills to the next level. This week Space10 , Ikea’s lab for futuristic, solutions-oriented designs, released open source plans for The Growroom , a large, multi-tiered spherical garden designed to sustainably grow enough food for an entire neighborhood. Hoping to help spur local growing and sourcing, Space10 made the plans available for free on Thursday.

2017 156

2017 DIY Planning Local 156