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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Smith, S. Aaron; Popp, Michael P.; Nalley, Lawton Lanier |
| Keywords: | Carbon Sequestration, Loblolly Pine, Carbon Offset, Carbon Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98787&r=env |
| By: | Mu, Jianhong H.; McCarl, Bruce A. |
| Abstract: | Replaced with revised version of paper 01/26/11 |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Stocking Rate, Land Use, Livestock Management, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98708&r=env |
| By: | Brännlund, Runar (CERE); Lundgren, Tommy (CERE); Marklund, Per-Olov (CERE) |
| Abstract: | This study’s ultimate goal is to analyze environmental performance (EP) at firm level and the effectiveness of environmental policy along with other possible determinants. Especially, the empirical analysis aims at exploring the relationship between the actual EP of firms in terms of CO2 emissions per output unit, and one aspect of Swedish environmental policy, the CO2-tax. Since Sweden was the first country to introduce a specific CO2-tax in 1991 we believe that the Swedish case may serve as an appropriate “test bench” for analyzing EP and the effectiveness of environmental policy in general. To achieve our objective we use a panel data of Swedish manufacturing spanning over the period 1990-2004. The results suggest that EP has improved in all sectors of manufacturing. We also see that production increases while emissions decrease in many sectors, indicating a decoupling of economic growth and environmental degradation. Furthermore, firms’ EP responds to changes in the CO2-tax and fossil fuel price, but is more sensitive to the tax, indicating different EP behavior among firms depending on why the cost of fossil fuels change. Several sectors also display a positive tendency over time in EP, which may suggest that EP is to some extent stimulated by an overall boost in environmental awareness in society and firms. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; CO2-tax; environmental performance |
| JEL: | D24 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2011–04–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:slucer:2011_006&r=env |
| By: | Shideler, Dave; Dicks, Michael R. |
| Abstract: | While significant attention has been given to the decrease in property values associated with environmental contamination (i.e., stigma effects), little attention has been given to the stigma impacts on the local community as a whole. In addition, most estimates of stigma damages have been performed within a community, using distance from contamination or comparing contamination and non contamination areas in the community. In this article we determine stigma damages by analyzing property values in comparable communities and develop the rationale for estimating the community impact associated with environmental contamination that extends beyond the impact on individual property owners. These impacts were estimated for the environmental contamination from zinc smelting in the municipality of Blackwell, Oklahoma. The impacts were measured in terms of lost ad valorem tax revenue using hedonic pricing and average treatment effects. |
| Keywords: | environmental damages, environmental contamination, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q51, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98808&r=env |
| By: | K, Sudarkodi; K, Sathyabama |
| Abstract: | The unimpeded growth of greenhouse gas emissions is raising the earth’s temperature. The consequences include melting glaciers, more precipitation, more and more extreme weather events, and shifting seasons. The accelerating pace of climate change, combined with global population and income growth, threatens food security everywhere. Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Higher temperatures eventually reduce yields of desirable crops while encouraging weed and pest proliferation. Changes in precipitation patterns increase the likelihood of short-run crop failures and long-run production declines. Although there will be gains in some crops in some regions of the world, the overall impacts of climate change on agriculture are expected to be negative, threatening global food security. This paper provides an insight into the different climate change-related challenges that the agricultural sector will face and explores opportunities for emission reductions and adaptation. Agriculture has not figured very prominently in the climate discussion so far. This paper clearly indicates that the sector deserves more attention when it comes to both climate change threats and opportunities. Understanding interrelations and interactions in the agricultural sector and considering its implications for development cooperation is crucial for adequate development responses. |
| Keywords: | The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture |
| JEL: | Q50 Q5 N50 N5 Q0 Q01 Q54 Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–03–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:29784&r=env |
| By: | Paul Missios (Department of Economics, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada); Ida Ferrara (DEpartment of Economics, York University, Toronto, Canada); Halis Murat Yildiz (Department of Economics, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we compare endogenous environmental policy setting with centralized and decentralized governments when regions have comparative advantages in different polluting goods. We develop a two-region, two-good model with inter-regional environmental damages and perfect competition in product markets, where both regions produce both goods. Despite positive spillovers of pollution across regions, the model predicts that decentralization may lead to weaker or stricter environmental standards or taxes, depending on the degree of regional comparative advantage and the extent of transboundary pollution. This suggests that federalism can lead to either a "race to the bottom" or a "race to the top," without relying on inefficient lobbying efforts or capital competition. |
| Keywords: | environmental policy; federalism; centralism; public economics |
| JEL: | D10 H23 Q28 |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rye:wpaper:wp027&r=env |
| By: | Stegelin, Forrest; Houston, Jack E.; Compte, Javier Mantilla; Thomas, Paul; Chappell, Matthew |
| Abstract: | The costs of transporting agricultural products to market and of the acquisition of production inputs are of concern to environmental and food horticulture crops producers. This study is to determine if transportation alliances would reduce shipping costs, increase distribution efficiencies and reduce carbon dioxide emissions among floriculture, ornamental plants, and fruit and vegetable producers in Georgia. Using data from surveys and the ArcLogistics 9.3 GIS software, routing systems were developed to show cost savings opportunities. The results indicated nearly ten percent reductions in average total cost savings to producers, average total miles driven savings, average number of trucks savings, average hours driving savings, and average carbon dioxide (carbon footprint) savings. |
| Keywords: | transportation alliance, buying local, economic savings, food and environmental horticulture, Agribusiness, Marketing, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98766&r=env |
| By: | Skoufias, Emmanuel; Rabassa, Mariano; Olivieri, Sergio |
| Abstract: | Climate change is believed to represent a serious challenge to poverty reduction efforts around the globe. This paper conducts an up-to-date review of three main strands of the literature analyzing the poverty impacts of climate change : (i) economy-wide growth models incorporating climate change impacts to work out consistent scenarios for how climate change might affect the path of poverty over the next decades; (ii) studies focusing on the poverty impacts of climate change in the agricultural sector; and (iii) studies exploring how past climate variability impacts poverty. The analysis finds that the majority of the estimates of the poverty impacts tend to ignore the effect of aggregate economic growth on poverty and household welfare. The empirical evidence available to date suggests that climate change will slow the pace of global poverty reduction, but the expected poverty impact will be relatively modest and far from reversing the major decline in poverty that is expected to occur over the next 40 years as a result of continued economic growth. The studies focusing on the sector-specific channels of impacts of climate change suggest that the estimated impacts of climate change on agricultural yields are generally a poor predictor of the poverty impacts of climate change at the national level due to heterogeneity in the ability of households to adapt. It also appears that the impacts of climate change are generally regressive, that is, they fall more heavily on the poor than the rich. |
| Keywords: | Rural Poverty Reduction,Climate Change Economics,Science of Climate Change,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Regional Economic Development |
| Date: | 2011–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5622&r=env |
| By: | Yeboah, Osei; Gunden, Cihat; Allen, Albert; Akuffo, Akua S. |
| Abstract: | The overall objective of this paper is to measure the impact of the undesirable outputs from NAFTA (agricultural production and trade) on the environment by years in post-NAFTA period. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to measure environmental efficiency by considering desirable (corn production) and undesirable (nitrogen) outputs in fifteen states. DEA allowed us to measure the level of nitrogen pollution to be reduced by modeling undesirable output in efficiency evaluation. Data from 15 states (Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin) on corn production, land use and nitrogen fertilizer from 1994-2008 (post-NAFTA) were considered. The results indicated environmental inefficiency, nitrogen pollution and land use inefficiency were increasing over the years in the post-NAFTA period. |
| Keywords: | Data Envelopment Analysis, Environmental Efficiency, Nitrogen Pollution, NAFTA., International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98698&r=env |
| By: | Toliver, Dustin K.; Larson, James A.; English, Burton C.; Roberts, Roland K.; de la Torre Ugarte, Daniel G.; West, Tristram O. |
| Abstract: | This paper evaluated differences between yields of no-tillage compared to conventional or reduced tillage and their associated downside risk. Six crops were evaluated along with how those yields and risks differed by various environmental factors such geographic location, precipitation, soil type and how long the practice had been used. |
| Keywords: | no-tillage, conservation, conventional tillage, downside-risk, yield, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98818&r=env |
| By: | Ahmadin, Muhammad |
| Abstract: | This study attempts to estimate the non-market value of the environmental performance of a firm using a stock price model derived from Rosenâs hedonic price theory. Two different stock market models are developed to estimate the model, a basic firmâs stock market model and a modified Capital Assets Pricing Model (CAPM). The explanatory variables include risk factors, non risk stock characteristics, and corporate environmental policy, conduct and performance. This study uses Newsweekâs 2009 Green Ranking scores. The results show that risk factors, non-risk stock characteristics, and environmental scores variables are statistically significant in affecting stock price and equity return. The willingness to pay (WTP) are 3¢, 5¢, and 18¢, respectively for the green policy and performance score (GPPS), the reputation survey score (RSS), and the green score (GS). The four scores increase return on equity as much as 0.06%, 0.38%, 0.40%, and 2.06% respectively. A one point improvement in the three environmental scores is associated with an increase in an average firmâs value (market capitalization) of $17,840,820, $29,043,195, and $99,576,670 respectively. |
| Keywords: | hedonics model, stock price, CAPM, Newsweekâs 2009 green ranking, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98807&r=env |
| By: | Larson, Donald F.; Dinar, Ariel; Frisbie, J. Aapris |
| Abstract: | Many experts believe that low-cost mitigation opportunities in agriculture are abundant and comparable in scale to those found in the energy sector. They are mostly located in developing countries and have to do with how land is used. By investing in projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), countries can tap these opportunities to meet their own Kyoto Protocol obligations. The CDM has been successful in financing some types of agricultural projects, including projects that capture methane or use agricultural by-products as an energy source. But agricultural land-use projects are scarce under the CDM. This represents a missed opportunity to promote sustainable rural development since land-use projects that sequester carbon in soils can help reverse declining soil fertility, a root cause of stagnant agricultural productivity. This paper reviews the process leading to current CDM implementation rules and describes how the rules, in combination with challenging features of land-use projects, raise transaction costs and lower demand for land-use credits. Procedures by which developed countries assess their own mitigation performance are discussed as a way of redressing current constraints on CDM investments. Nevertheless, even with improvements to the CDM, an under-investment in agricultural land-use projects is likely, since there are hurdles to capturing associated ancillary benefits privately. Alternative approaches outside the CDM are discussed, including those that build on recent decisions taken by governments in Copenhagen and Cancun. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Environmental Economics&Policies,Energy and Environment,Environment and Energy Efficiency,Banks&Banking Reform |
| Date: | 2011–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5621&r=env |
| By: | Kim, GwanSeon; Petrolia, Daniel R.; Interis, Matthew G. |
| Abstract: | Replaced with revised version of paper 02/02/11. |
| Keywords: | Contingent Valuation, Double-Bounded Dichotomous Choice, Willingness to Pay, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98899&r=env |
| By: | Pancholy, Nishita; Thomas, Michael H.; SolÃs, Daniel; Stratis, Nicholas |
| Abstract: | A hypothetical market for renting and converting forested land into row cropping for biofuel production revealed that nearly half of the 1,060 non-industrial landowners sampled in Florida are willing to accept payments for land type conversion and the resulting supply function is inelastic and positive. While respondentâs previous involvement with forest management cost-share program increased their probability of accepting payments for forest type conversion, those who indicated forest aesthetics as the primary reason for the land ownership were less likely to participate in this hypothetical market. |
| Keywords: | NIPF landowners, Probit regression, Land-use conversion, United States, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98526&r=env |
| By: | Jacoby, Hanan; Rabassa, Mariano; Skouas, Emmanuel |
| Abstract: | Global warming is expected to heavily impact agriculture, the dominant source of livelihood for the world's poor. Yet, little is known about the distributional implications of climate change at the sub-national level. Using a simple comparative statics framework, this paper analyzes how changes in the prices of land, labor, and food induced by modest temperature increases over the next three decades will affect household-level welfare in India. The authors predict a substantial fall in agricultural productivity, even allowing for farmer adaptation. Yet, this decline will not translate into a sharp drop in consumption for the majority of rural households, who derive their income largely from wage employment. Overall, the welfare costs of climate change fall disproportionately on the poor. This is true in urban as well as in rural areas, but, in the latter sector only after accounting for the effects of rising world cereal prices. Adaptation appears to primarily benefit the non-poor, since they own the lion's share of agricultural land. The results suggest that poverty in India will be roughly 3-4 percentage points higher after thirty years of rising temperatures than it would have been had this warming not occurred. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Economics,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Science of Climate Change,Rural Poverty Reduction,Regional Economic Development |
| Date: | 2011–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5623&r=env |
| By: | Alassane DRABO |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the link between health inequalities, air pollution and political institutions. In health economics literature, many studies have assessed the association between environmental degradation and health outcomes. This paper extends this literature by investigating how air pollution could explain health inequalities both between and within developing countries, and the role of political institutions in this relationship. Theoretically, we argue that differential in exposition to air pollution among income classes, prevention ability against health effect of environment degradation, capacity to respond to disease caused by pollutants and susceptibility of some groups to air pollution effect are sufficient to expect a positive link between air pollution and income related health inequality. Furthermore, in democratic countries, this heterogeneity in the health effect of pollution may be mitigated since good institutions favour universal health policy issues, information and advices about hygiene and health practices, and health infrastructures building. Our econometric results show that sulphur dioxide emission (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10) are in part responsible for the large disparities in infant and child mortalities between and within developing countries. In addition, we found that democratic institutions play the role of social protection by mitigating this effect for the poorest income classes and reducing the health inequality it provokes. |
| Keywords: | health inequality, air pollution, political institutions, social protection |
| JEL: | Q53 I1 D63 C13 |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdi:wpaper:1252&r=env |
| By: | Sobowale, Folakemi; Dicks, Mike; Campiche, Jody |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this research was to determine whether indirect land use occurs and if so to what extent. Indirect land use is a change from non-cropland to cropland (e.g. deforestation) that may occur in response to increasing scarcity of cropland. As farmers worldwide respond to higher crop prices in order to maintain the global food supply and demand balance, pristine lands are cleared and converted to new cropland to replace the crops for feed and food that were diverted elsewhere to biofuels production. We examine the impact of corn-based ethanol production in the United States on land use in other countries. |
| Keywords: | ethanol, energy, biofuel, pristine lands., Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98854&r=env |
| By: | Massey, Raymond E.; Gedikoglu, Haluk |
| Abstract: | Three manure application limits (N Limit, Annual P Limit and P Banking) were modeled with particular attention to the number of hours needed to appropriately distribute manure. The benefit and costs estimates indicated that P Banking was more profitable than N Limit which was more profitable than Annual P Limit. The number of hours required indicated that the Annual P Limit would not be completed within a two month window approximately 2 of 10 years. The increased number of hours for the Annual P Limit also increased the probability of a runoff event following manure application, relative to the other two scenarios. This work indicates that regulations that require Annual P Limits of manure cost the farmer and may have the unintended consequence of increasing runoff. |
| Keywords: | manure, environment, policy, runoff, hours, acres, probability, rainfall, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98765&r=env |
| By: | Qiu, Cheng; Colson, Gregory; Zhang, Zibin; Wetzstein, Michael |
| Abstract: | The US Environmental Protection Agency announced a waiver allowing an increase in the Fuel-Ethanol blend limit (the âblend wallâ ) from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15) on October,2010.Justifications for the waiver are reduced vehicle fuel prices and less consumption of petroleum gasoline, leading to energy security. In this paper, employing Monte Carlo simulations and Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter, an empirical study examines this waiver revealing an anomaly where a relaxation of this blend wall elicits a demand response. Under a wide range of elasticities, this demand response can actually increase the consumption of petroleum gasoline and thus lead to greater energy insecurity. The economics supporting this result and associated policy implications are developed and discussed. |
| Keywords: | Blend wall, Energy security, Ethanol, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98795&r=env |
| By: | Kawata, Yukichika |
| Abstract: | Environmental economics postulates the assumption of homo economicus and presumes that externality occurs as a result of the rational economic activities of economic agents. This paper examines this assumption using an experimental economic approach in the context of regime shift, which has been receiving increasing attention. We observe that when externality does not exist, economic agents (subjects of experimemt) act economically rationally, but when externality exists, economic agents avoid the risk of a regime shift that would have negative consequences for others. Our results suggest that environmental economics may have to reconsider the assumption of homo economicus. |
| Keywords: | homo economicus; unboundedly rational economic agents; regime shift; experimental economics |
| JEL: | C90 D64 Q57 |
| Date: | 2011–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:30016&r=env |
| By: | Leidner, Andrew J.; Lacewell, Ronald D.; Rister, M. Edward; Woodard, Joshua D.; Sturdivant, Allen W.; White, Jacob M. |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the optimal allocation of several inputs in the context of seawater desalination by reverse osmosis (RO) as a source of municipal (or commercial or industrial) water. A cost-minimization model is developed, a production function is estimated, and sensitivity analyses are conducted using the optimization model to investigate the effect of environmental conditions and economic factors on the optimal input portfolio and the cost of operating a modeled seawater desalination facility. The objectives of this paper are to better understand the effect on the seawater desalination facilityâs costs and input portfolio from changes in water quality, membrane lifespan, daily operations schedule, and energy prices. Findings include that lower total facility costs are associated with warm-weather water quality parameters, longer membrane life, and mid-range daily operations schedule (14.265 hours/day). Under most conditions, an interruptible power supply regime reduces facility costs. Exceptions include when the interruptible power supply regime implies significant reductions in operating hours and the associated reduction in energy price is very small. |
| Keywords: | water, production, seawater desalination, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98827&r=env |
| By: | Bernard Sinclair-Desgagné |
| Abstract: | Most governments acknowledge nowadays the strategic importance of the environmental goods and services industry (or eco-industry), in the new economy centered on knowledge, innovation and environmental protection. However, the underlying dynamics of this booming sector is still poorly understood. This presentation will first provide a brief outlook of the eco-industry, its scope, recent development and growth potential, in particular in Latin America. It will next show that the value this industry does and might further create relies essentially, from a public policy standpoint, on a Smithian innovation process, and from a management perspective, on a relational rather than transactional approach to customer-supplier relationships. Several implications for policymaking and business strategy will be discussed. <P>Les gouvernements sont aujourd’hui unanimes à reconnaître l’importance avérée et stratégique des éco-activités dans la nouvelle économie axée sur la connaissance, l’innovation et la protection de l’environnement. Les mécanismes qui sous-tendent la dynamique de ce secteur émergent et l’innovation environnementale en général restent toutefois largement méconnus. Cet essai cherchera d’abord à présenter le domaine des éco-activités, son périmètre, son développement récent et ses perspectives en termes de croissance, d’emploi et d’impact sur l’environnement. Il fera ensuite la démonstration que la valeur créée par les éco-activités participe, du point de vue des décideurs publics, d’une logique smithienne de l’innovation, et dans une perspective managériale, d’une approche relationnelle plutôt que transactionnelle des rapports entre clients et fournisseurs. Les défis que ce constat entraîne pour les pouvoirs publics et les entreprises seront enfin soulignés. |
| Keywords: | Competitiveness, eco-activities, eco-industry. , Compétitivé, éco-activités, éco-industrie |
| Date: | 2011–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cir:cirwor:2011s-36&r=env |
| By: | Lo, Alex Y.; Spash, Clive L. |
| Abstract: | The use of deliberative methods to assess environmental values in monetary terms has been motivated by the potential for small group discussion to help with preference formation and the inclusion of non-economic values. In this review, two broad approaches are identified: preference economisation and preference moralisation. The former is analytical, concentrates upon issues of poor respondent cognition and produces a narrow conception of value linked to utilitarianism. The latter emphasises political legitimacy, appeals to community values and tends to privilege arguments made in the public interest. Both approaches are shown to embrace forms of value convergence which undermine the prospects for value pluralism. As a result exclusion and predefinition of values dominates current practice. In order to maintain democratic credentials, the importance attributed to monetary value needs to be left as an open question to be addressed as part of a process determining an ‘agreement to pay’. To this end we identify a discourse-based approach as a third way consistent with the democratic and value plural potential of deliberative monetary valuation. |
| Keywords: | environmental valuation; deliberation; stated preferences; democracy; willingness to pay; value pluralism |
| JEL: | D46 A13 D02 D61 D78 Q51 |
| Date: | 2011–03–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:30002&r=env |
| By: | Solis, Daniel; Letson, David |
| Abstract: | The goal of this study is to empirically evaluate the extent to which agricultural productivity estimates are affected by variation on climate. To do so, we explore the case of the agricultural sector in the Southeast US. This geographical region is influenced seasonally by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena making it ideal for studying the interaction of climate variability and agricultural productivity. Although, different methodologies have been developed to study TE the stochastic production frontier (SPF) approach offers several advantages over other available alternatives (Kumbhakar and Lovell 2003). Thus, to assess the impact of climatic on TE we estimate alternative SPF models with and without climatic variables. We also test alternative variables to measure the influence of climate on TE; namely, seasonal rain fall and the ENSO phase. |
| Keywords: | Climate Variability, Productivity, US, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98894&r=env |
| By: | Acheampong, Kwame; Dicks, Michael R.; Adam, Brian D. |
| Abstract: | The Renewable Fuel Standard mandate in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires 16 billion gallons out of 36 billion gallons of ethanol be produced from cellulosic feedstocks in 2022, but the mandate was apparently enacted without critical assessments of the agricultural impacts of attempting to achieve energy independence. The feedstock production will likely compete with lands currently used for producing other traditional crops of which hay is likely to be affected the most since it has comparatively lower net returns. Thus ruminant production will consequently be affected greatly. This study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) to estimate and predict Oklahoma hay price which is used as objective value in linear programming (LP) model that determines the profitability options between hay and switchgrass production. The OLS results show that Oklahoma hay price is fairly stable, and hay is shipped across adjoining states. The LP results show that switchgrass production would be more profitable than hay and that switchgrass for biofuel production likely will bid land away from hay if biofuel production becomes fully operational. |
| Keywords: | biofuel mandates, switchgrass production, hay production, hay markets., Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2011–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea11:98797&r=env |
| By: | Gilvan Guedes (Brown University); Mariângela Antigo (Cedeplar-UFMG); Ana Flávia Machado (Cedeplar-UFMG); Eduardo Brondízio (Indiana University); Leah VanWey (Brown University) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the contribution of the biophysical characteristics, accessibility conditions and land use/cover classes on poverty dynamics among rural smallholders in Altamira, State of Pará. Poverty-environment literature points that the increasing institutional restrictions to deforestation, along with lack of titling, may affect the ability of smallholders in the Amazon (and elsewhere) to diversify their agricultural strategies and expand their production. Using a longitudinal representative sample of rural properties/households in the Altamira Study Area (1997 and 2005), we find some evidence that corroborate this scenario. Accessibility to the property during the rainy season and the presence of alfisoils are the two main factors impacting the time spent on poverty, regardless of initial condition of the farmer. Conversely, natural capital and land use indicators are more sensitive to the initial condition, suggesting a higher level of endogeneity between them and the condition of poverty. Results suggest that improvement in property accessibility provided by local or regional government may reduce, instead of exacerbate, the demand for land by allowing farmers to capitalize for more intensive and sustainable land use strategies. |
| Keywords: | Amazonia, Poverty, Accessibility, Natural Capital, Land Use |
| JEL: | Q15 R14 R23 |
| Date: | 2010–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdp:texdis:td415&r=env |
| By: | Milena Eveyde Mejía Giraldo; Iván David Oviedo Restrepo |
| Abstract: | Este artículo tiene como objetivo principal estimar las funciones de costo marginal de abatimiento de material particulado para fuentes fijas en el Valle de Aburrá. Esta información es necesaria si se desea establecer in Sistema de Permisos de Emisión Tranasables para el área Metropolitana, como política ambiental para el control de contaminación atmosférica por material particulado. Para la estimulación de tales funciones se utilizó el manual EPA (2002, Handbook, "Air Pollution Control Cost Manual", y específicamente la información contenida en el trabajo de grado, "Proposición y evaluación de Instrumentos de Incentivo Económico para mejorar la calidad del aire en Santiago: Aplicación al caso de las Fuentes Fijas", de Bravo (2000). Con la metodología aplicada se obtuvieron funciones de costo marginal para cada equipo de control del material particulado; dichas funciones se relacionan de manera inversa con el caudal adicional de emisiones a tratar. |
| Date: | 2011–04–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000418:008282&r=env |