As many of the world economies seem to be collapsing simultaneously, it is a good time to step back, take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture. Which kind of economy ultimately works better in the long run — capitalism or socialism? This is the question Vernon Smith (Nobel Laureate and PERC BoardContinue reading “The Great Debate”
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Q&A with Bart Wilson on Experimental Economics and Property Rights
Bart Wilson is a Lone Mountain Fellow at PERC working on a project investigating the territorial foundations of human property via experimental economics. As part of his research, Dr. Wilson actually placed the PERC staff in a virtual economic terrarium—results to follow! His academic home is in the Economic Science Institute (ESI) at Chapman UniversityContinue reading “Q&A with Bart Wilson on Experimental Economics and Property Rights”
Forest Service Timber Harvests: Not What They Used To Be
After more than one thousand miles by jet, 40 minutes by float plane, one hour driving, a hike, and a row we arrive to our destination: a 12 x 14 foot cabin in remote Alaska on Prince of Wales Island. We had the lake nearly to ourselves. A few loons, beautiful cutthroat trout, and someContinue reading “Forest Service Timber Harvests: Not What They Used To Be”
Constricting the Wind Commons
According to the U.S. Bureau of land management, wind power is the fastest growing energy technology in the United States. With this growth comes the desire to develop a legal framework for wind rights. Today at PERC, Daniel Kaffine, with the Colorado School of Mines, explored the legal status of wind collection rights. Wind canContinue reading “Constricting the Wind Commons”
A Changing Paradigm for National Forest Management
The National Forests cover 8 percent of the nation, an area about the size of Texas. All public lands make up about one-third of the nation’s timberland. Timberland is differentiated from forestland by its ability to provide commercially valuable timber. The last several decades have seen a management paradigm shift on national timberlands from commodityContinue reading “A Changing Paradigm for National Forest Management”
H2Ownership
Growing up in Utah, the second driest state in the nation, means I am well aware of the old adage, “whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.” I have read accounts of pioneers fighting with the local tribes over water and in one case two pioneer families ended a squabble over water by throwingContinue reading “H2Ownership”
Considering the Costs of Climate Adaptation
Yesterday afternoon I attended a lecture by Michael Greenstone, the 3M Professor of Environmental Economics and former chief economist of the Council of Economic Advisers during the first year of the Obama Administration, addressing the question, “Will Adaptation Save Us from Climate Change?” This lecture was the keynote address at a PERC workshop on “Human Adaptation to Climate Change” I’veContinue reading “Considering the Costs of Climate Adaptation”
Saving the Spotted Owl in a Static Natural World
Protecting endangered species is hard when you view nature as static. James L. Huffman in the Wall Street Journal: No one really expects the strategy to work—not even those who first brought attention to the plight of the spotted owl. As Forest Service biologist Eric Forsman told the New York Times last month, “If you’dContinue reading “Saving the Spotted Owl in a Static Natural World”
Considering the costs of climate adaptation
MIT Professor Michael Greenstone says that humans will adapt to climate change, with wealthier nations faring better than poorer nations.
Public-Private partners restore wetland
Jeff Laszlo knew that to keep the family ranch, he needed to chnage his operations. By recognizing the environmental assets on his ranch and forging partnerships with public and private funders he restored a huge wetland that now flourishes with fish, wilflife and plants. By investing in conservation, he has saved his ranch and increased his income.