The Economics in Context Initiative (ECI) has updated a series of teaching modules designed to incorporate pressing environmental and social challenges into undergraduate and graduate economics education. These resources, available as free PDF downloads, aim to equip students with analytical tools to understand the interplay between economic systems and global sustainability issues. n nThe refreshed collection covers topics such as climate change, energy policy, water scarcity, international trade, population trends, and alternative development models that move beyond GDP-centric growth. Each module emphasizes real-world applications and policy responses, encouraging critical thinking about equity, resource limits, and long-term planning. n nThe climate and energy module underscores the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources, examining mechanisms like carbon pricing, energy taxation, and efficiency standards. It also addresses disparities in energy access and the disproportionate impact of climate change on low-income populations. n nThe trade and environment module re-evaluates conventional trade theory through a sustainability lens, exploring how global supply chains affect ecosystems and how policies can internalize environmental costs. Meanwhile, the water economics section analyzes scarcity, pricing models, conservation strategies, and the concept of virtual water in international trade. n nA dedicated population module reviews shifting global demographics, noting declining birth rates in regions like Europe and China alongside continued growth in parts of Africa and Asia. It connects these trends to economic pressures, including aging populations and shrinking labor forces. n nAnother module investigates the limitations of growth-driven economic models, proposing alternatives that prioritize well-being and ecological balance. Case studies from both high- and low-income countries illustrate diverse approaches to sustainable development. n nCollectively, the materials aim to broaden the scope of economic education by integrating ecological realities and social justice considerations into core curriculum content. n— news from Boston University
— News Original —nTeaching Modules Round-Up: Incorporating Environmental Issues into Introductory EconomicsnBy Amita Ganesh n nIssues of climate, energy, trade and environment are central to understanding economic development around the world today. The world’s richest 10 percent are responsible for two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the world’s poorest face the largest burden from the effects of climate change. This raises the critical question of how to promote equitable economic development for an expanding population while maintaining a healthy and sustainable global environment. n nA newly updated series of environmental modules from the Economics in Context Initiative (ECI) provides insights into these issues and highlights interventions to address them. ECI’s teaching modules on social and environmental issues in economics are designed for use as stand-alone supplements in undergraduate or graduate-level courses, and are freely downloadable as PDFs for instructors and students. n nThis edition of our module round-up focuses on topics including climate change, population, water, energy, trade and alternatives to growth-centric development. These modules provide important perspectives on the interaction between economic development and challenging social and environmental issues. Our teaching modules equip students with the tools necessary to unpack these issues effectively and thoughtfully. n nThe climate and energy modules highlight the urgent need to turn away from fossil fuels, cut emissions and prepare for the unavoidable impacts of climate change. They look at tools like carbon pricing, energy taxes and efficiency policies while also addressing equity concerns such as energy poverty and uneven climate impacts. n nThe trade and water modules explore how national, regional and global systems can be better designed to account for environmental impacts. Trade theory is revisited through the lens of sustainability, and water economics focuses on scarcity, pricing and policies that promote water conservation. n nThe population module provides an updated view of global population growth issues. While rapid population growth continues in Africa and parts of Asia, in many areas of the world, including Europe and now also China, population has apparently peaked and started to decline. Global population decline is still some decades away, but we must now grapple with both the problems of environmental stresses caused by population growth and social stresses of providing for larger cohorts of elderly people with fewer workforce entrants. n nAnother updated module considers the problems of environmental degradation and inequality in relation to economic growth, and explores alternatives to growth-centric development. Comprehensively, these modules show how economics can be used to support more sustainable and equitable outcomes across the world, with detailed attention to policy solutions. n nThe Economics of Global Climate Change n nby Jonathan M. Harris, Brian Roach and Anne-Marie Codur n nThis module reviews the science of climate change, highlighting recent data on emissions, temperature and sea-level rise. It also examines economic approaches to addressing the issue. Key topics include valuation of damages, carbon pricing, tradable permits and international policy responses, with updated coverage of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings and developments in carbon storage. n nEnergy Economics and Policy n nBy Brian Roach and Jonathan M. Harris n nThis module examines four major global energy challenges: accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, electrifying energy systems, promoting energy efficiency and reducing energy inequality. While fossil fuels still supply a significant portion of the world’s energy, faster progress is needed to meet climate goals. This module explores economic tools such as energy taxes, subsidy reform and demand-side management, as well as strategies to address energy poverty in low-income countries. Other topics include energy supply availability, externalities of different energy sources, energy forecasts and the potential for carbon-neutral systems. n nTrade and the Environment n nBy Brian Roach and Jonathan M. Harris n nThis module combines trade theory with the theory of externalities to show how environmental factors change the usual gains-from-trade framework. It looks at institutional and policy issues in sustainable trade and the “greening” of global environmental institutions, connecting the theory to real-world policy. n nWater: Economics and Policy n nBy Brian Roach, Anne-Marie Codur and Jonathan M. Harris n nThis module looks at theories and policies for sustainable water management. It covers current data on global water demand and scarcity, introduces the ideas of virtual water and water footprints and reviews ways to boost water supplies, from groundwater and dams to desalination. It also explores strategies for improving water use efficiency and changes in behavior, weighing the pros and cons of different water rights systems and water markets. It concludes with examining the benefits of managing water as a shared resource. n nPopulation and the Environment n nby Jonathan M. Harris, Brian Roach and Anne-Marie Codur n nThis module combines economic and ecological analysis to examine global population trends and their impacts on the environment. Global population growth patterns have changed, with some countries moving to a stage of declining population while others, especially in Africa, continue rapid growth. The module analyzes how factors like technological progress, social equity and resource limits shape the relationship between population and economic development. It also explores effective population policies, connecting theory to real-world issues. n nAlternatives to Growth-Centric Development n nBy Erin Lennox, Rebecca Hollender and Brian Roach n nThis module considers the problems of environmental degradation and inequality in relation to growth-centric development. Perspectives on alternatives to growth along with related policies, practices and challenges are discussed to explain the need to limit economic activity within the biophysical limits of the planet. The module features extensive case studies on alternative approaches in both the Global North and South. n nExplore all ECI modules.