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Environmental Economics. Hendrik Wolff hgwolff@u.washington.edu. What is EE? . Brief Outline of “some” Environmental Problems Population Growth Fossil Fuel burning and Carbon Dioxide Acid Rain and Sulfur Dioxide Stratospheric Ozone Depletion . State of the Environment.
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Environmental Economics Hendrik Wolff hgwolff@u.washington.edu
What is EE? • Brief Outline of “some” Environmental Problems • Population Growth • Fossil Fuel burning and Carbon Dioxide • Acid Rain and Sulfur Dioxide • Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
State of the Environment • Population Growth puts pressure on environmental resources
2012: atmospheric • CO2 = 394ppm • http://www.350.org/
Average Daily Temperature Distribution RED: 2090-2100 Projected A2 scenario from CCSM 3.0 in IPCC (2007) BLUE: 1960-90 Normals San Francisco
Average Daily Temperature Distribution Boston Houston RED: 2090-2100 Projected A2 scenario from CCSM 3.0 in IPCC (2007) BLUE: 1960-90 Normals San Francisco
County Temperature Data • Drawback: • 1 day of 115 F & 4 days of 65 F 50 CDD • 5 days of 75 F 50 CDD
33% Decrease 116% Increase
Differential trends in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) versus Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Differential trends in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) versus Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
SO2: First Big “Success” Story of Impact of “Environmental Economics” on Policy • SO2 Acid Rain Dying forests
Cap and Trade of SO2 emissions • By late eighties: U.S. emits 20 million tons SO2/year • 1990 C & T established with goal to cut emissions by 50% over 10 years
Cap and Trade of SO2 emissions • By late eighties: U.S. emits 20 million tons SO2/year • 1990 C & T established with goal to cut emissions by 50% over 10 years • Figure of “price of sulfur” = marginal abatement cost of SO2 control dropped from USD 500 to USD65
Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere • Ozone in Stratosphere necessary to decrease ultra violet radiation to hit planet (UV-Bskin cancer) • Refrigerants (i.e. CFCs) destroy O3 molecules • World observes steady magnitude of ozone hole in stratosphere since 1980 • 1986: Montreal Protocol bans (most) CFCs • Ozone hole slowly starting now to decrease BUT global warming cools stratosphere, difficult to predict... • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfVMogIdr8
Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere • Ozone in Stratosphere necessary to decrease ultra violet radiation to hit planet (UV-Bskin cancer) • Refrigerants (i.e. CFCs) destroy O3 molecules • World observes steady magnitude of ozone hole in stratosphere since 1980 • 1986: Montreal Protocol bans (most) CFCs • Ozone hole slowly starting now to decrease BUT global warming cools stratosphere, difficult to predict... • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfVMogIdr8
Which Pollutants Increase/Decrease? • Increase • CO2 • Illegal oceanic waste dumping • Nuclear contamination • Particulate Matter in Urban Areas (Developing Countries) • Decrease • SO2 in U.S. • Local Water Pollution Homework
Which Pollutants Increase/Decrease? • Increase • CO2 • Illegal oceanic waste dumping • Nuclear contamination • Particulate Matter in Urban Areas (Developing Countries) • Decrease • SO2 in U.S. • CFCs worldwide • Local Water Pollution Homework
Which Pollutants Increase/Decrease? • Increase • CO2 • Illegal oceanic waste dumping • Nuclear contamination • Particulate Matter in Urban Areas (Developing Countries) • Decrease • SO2 in U.S. • CFCs worldwide • Local Water Pollution Homework