The term paper for this course is an open-ended assignment that is intended to sharpen your writing, research and critical analysis skills. The project is designed to ensure that you are familiar with the process of conducting online research on an issue related to environmental economics and compiling a report based on that research using concepts and theories learned in class. The paper should focus on a topic of your choosing related to material covered in the course. The paper should have a strong economic focus and should use economic data and/or reasoning to support your analysis and assertions. Possible topics include:
• Economics of alternative energy (wind, solar, etc.)
• Market-based approaches to conservation
• Economics of hybrid and electric vehicles
• Economic and environmental trade-offs in use of paper vs plastic
• Invasive species economics (e.g., impacts and control)
• Economics of fisheries management (e.g., U.S. catch shares programs)
The paper should begin with a concise summary paragraph that (1) states the problem/issue/topic you have selected and (2) summarizes your position on the topic, anticipating your conclusion. The remainder of the paper should explain and support your position.
Specifications:
.Your paper should include:
• A narrative of 8 pages (not including title page, reference list, or appendices).
• A title page
• A reference list (using APA format) with at least five sources, and
• At least one graph and/or table
• In addition, at the conclusion of your paper please include a brief statement reflecting on what you feel you have learned from the assignment and how that learning may be applied to your life or work going forward. Please use APA format in-text citations in the body of your paper for all facts and figures and proof your paper for grammar and spelling.
References: Some references used during class. Can also use other resources.
1. Field, B. (2016). Natural resource economics (3rd ed.). Waveland Press, Inc.
2. Harris, J. (2006). Environmental and natural resource economics (2nd ed.). Houghton Mifflin Publishers.
3. Keohane, N. & Olmstead, S. (2007). Markets and the environment. Island Press.
4. Tietenberg, T., & Lewis, L. (2016). Environmental economics and policy (6th ed.). Pearson.
5. Tisdell, C. A. (2005). Economics of the conservation of the environment (2nd ed.). Edward Elgar Publishing.