This EV elective, taught by Professor Walt Hecox, really impacted the way that I think about the role of economics in environmental policy, as well as the role of the environment in economics. In fact, it made me understand how incredibly important economics can be as a tool in implementing environmental protection, because of the massive power of economics in our society and in individual mindsets. The course focused on a combination of basic neoclassical economic theory (with a macro-economics focus), coupled with new and innovative ideas about the role of ecology in economics. What was truly striking about the course was its practicality; none of the arguments made in favor of the environment were overwhelmingly radical or out of proportion.
In this course, we did a final paper on a foundation theory of ecological economics (I chose spatial and temporal equity), which involved qualitative and quantitative analysis of various sources from the course, as well as outside ecological economist perspectives (and opposing views). Because the field of ecological economics is relatively new, this was a great time to dive in and look at emerging sources on this older theory.
We also did a group presentation on the issue of forest health in the Rockies region, analyzing how this issue is tied into economics. Our group focused especially on the role of fire in forest health and in the Pine Bark Beetle infestation, analyzing the economic challenges of the situation as well as how it can be manipulated for possible benefit. It was great to do a project that involved so much theory on a very close-to-home issue, as it really required and application of knowledge and drove home the point.
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