Environmental Economics Writing Assignment- Adapted from Robert Frank

Your assignment is to use multiple principals discussed in the course to explain some pattern of events or behavior involving externalities that you personally have observed. Choose a topic that you find interesting, and that relates to the course.

Your space limit is 750 words. Many excellent papers are significantly shorter. Please do not lard your essay with complex terminology. Imagine yourself talking to a relative who has never had a course in economics. You need not include a bibliography, but you must cite any reference sources used. This assignment is not a PhD dissertation. You are not expected to do voluminous research in support of your argument, although a relevant fact or two might help convince yourself and others that you are on the right track. The assignment must be accompanied with at least one graph that supports your economic reasoning.

You are required to use an original question and produce an original explanation. It makes no difference whether your topic is important, but try, as best you can, to choose something interesting. A really successful paper is one that begins with a really interesting question (one that makes the listener instantly curious to learn the answer) and then uses principles from class to construct a plausible answer. Let me know if you are unsure of your question choice.

Your reasoning must be grounded in economic concepts. For example, citing government regulation alone is not a sufficient answer. Regulation may play a role in answering why are there sulfur dioxide trading markets…, but only citing regulation would be a bad answer. Instead, you want to describe the economics of the policy.

The paper must include:
1. The question clearly at the top of the first page
2. An explanation of the economic argument behind your explanation. 3. The application of at least three concepts from class.
4. A graph that supports your reasoning.

Submission and Grading

The typed paper must be submitted online via Canvas and Turnitin. Your ability to apply and communicate economic concepts and logic is most important. I will deduct points for unclear and/or poorly written essays.

Examples of Questions (You may not use these for the assignment)

– How could the Coase theorem be used to solve the problem of my neighbors noisy dog? – Why is the gas storage facility near Porter Ranch open after such a large leak?