Summer Program: Climate Change Economics

Climate Change Economics

Image Source: Judgefloro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Climate Change Economics

Climate change is visibly affecting earth's natural systems and these changes are beginning to have wide-ranging impacts at the local, national, and global levels. This week-long program explores the causes, effects, and potential responses to climate change through the lens of economics. Participants will learn about these topics by exploring theory and case-studies. 

Program + Stipend

Schedule

This program will run 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, July 15 - 19, 2024. 

Instructors

Program facilitator: Shane Carter (ORIAS)

Lead Instructor: Lisa Rennels

Guest Presenters: 

Format

Participants will meet in-person each day for presentations and discussions with the ORIAS facilitator (Shane Carter) and lead instructor (Lisa Rennels). Speakers on climate justice and regional case studies will offer a mix of in-person and remote presentations.

Topics

During the week, the program will address the following questions:

  • What is climate change and what are its projected impacts around the world?
  • What is the energy economy and how is it structured?
  • What are the differential impacts of climate change around the world, and how can we measure them?
  • What is climate justice and how is it related to differential impacts of climate change?
  • What policy options are available to us in response to climate change?
  • In what ways and to what extent can the tools of economics serve the goal of climate justice?
  • How do we weigh the justice and efficacy of possible policy responses?

Course Connections

The material in this program connects with many common concepts from introductory economics courses, including:

  • price
  • incentives
  • firm decision-making
  • public goods/private property
  • problems of global action
  • equity/efficiency
  • externalities
  • market failure

Participant Responsibilities

Prior to the start of the program, participants will be provided with preparatory materials to read/watch/listen to. These materials will be the foundation for understanding certain presentations and for engaging in discussions. Participants will be expected to have completed this preparation prior to each day of the program.

Participants will also be asked to produce a short series of lessons (applicable to their own teaching context) that incorporate materials and concepts from the week-long program. 

Draft lessons must be submitted for feedback by July 31, 2024; lesson revisions will be due August 23, 2024.

Stipend

Each teacher-participant will receive a stipend of $1200 upon completion of the program.

Logistics

Where: This is an in-person event. It will take place on campus at UC Berkeley. Exact location TBA.

Accessibility: Please contact Shane Carter at orias@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible if you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.), information about campus mobility access features, or other accomodations in order to fully participate in this event. 

Transit & Parking: UC Berkeley is near the Downtown Berkeley Bart and is accessible via AC Transit. There is paid parking in campus lots and city lots.

See the campus parking map.

PDF Map of public lots in Berkeley

Lodging: Participants may access housing in campus apartments for a fee of $750 for the week. This cost will be deducted from the participant stipend. Lodging will consist of a single bedroom/shared bathroom in an apartment with other program participants.

Project Funding

Climate Change Ecnomics is made possible by funding from UC Berkeley's Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Institute for East Asian Studies, Institute for European Studies, Institute for South Asian Studies, and the California Global Education Project, based at University of San Diego. All the area studies offices at UC Berkeley are designated as National Resource Centers by the US Department of Education and receive grant funding to support research and learning related to Southeast Asia. The California Global Education Project is part of California’s State Subject Matter Project. 

The content of Climate Change Economics does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government or other funding institutions.

Topics