ECON 323 - Economics of Climate Change

Credits: (3)
Prerequisite(s): ECON 101 and ECON 102
College Curriculum: COLL 200
Domain (Anchored): CSI
Domain (Reaching Out): NQR

This course will explore the economic causes and consequences of climate change, as well as potential responses and adaptations. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While such changes can be brought about by natural causes such as changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions, human actions are the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels which generates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG emissions stem from economic decisions that we make every day and any changes we make to reduce those emissions, whether voluntary or required, will have economic and other impacts on individuals, communities, nations and the world. In this course we will use the tools of economics to 1) understand the origins of climate change, 2) explore the effect of climate on different sectors of the economy both now and in the future, and 3) evaluate the potential for different policies and actions to reduce the impacts of climate change.