The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Economics, 2012
Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to e... more Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to explore the philosophical foundations of sustainable development. It discusses the contending worldviews that inform our relationship with the natural world and show how they a ect our understanding of the concept of sustainability. In particular, this chapter reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. This article further reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. Foundations of neoclassical welfare economics is explained in detail. Classical utilitarian theory allows us to construct a measure of social welfare, the total welfare of a community, by summing individual welfare measures across all the individuals in that community. Concepts like theocentric environmentalism are explained in details. It draws upon the Biblical view of man's relationship with nature. This article draws an extensive comparative study between anthropocentric environmentalism and ecocentric environmentalism.
The United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987), defined “sustainability ” as “meeting the needs ... more The United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987), defined “sustainability ” as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ” Within the business sector, the concept of sustainability has been examined by many (Gladwin, et al, 1995; Jennings and Zandbergen, 1995; Sharma and Ruud, 2003; Schaefer, 2004), and is generally defined by the imperative that a company should take into account social, environmental, and financial performance (Spreckley, 1981). John Elkington (1998) used this concept to coin the phrase "triple bottom line, " which is the foundation of the stakeholder theory1 and for shaping concepts such as the
Survey data bases covering household residential and transportation energy use were reviewed from... more Survey data bases covering household residential and transportation energy use were reviewed from the perspective of energy policy analysts and data base users. Twenty-three surveys, taken from 1972 to 1985, collected information on household energy consumption and expenditures, energy-using capital stock, and conservation activities. Ten of the surveys covered residential energy use only, including that for space heating and cooling, cooking, water heating, and appliances. Six surveys covered energy use only for household travel in personal vehicles. Seven surveys included data on both of these household energy sectors. Complete energy use data for a household in one year can be estimated only for 1983, using two surveys (one residential and one transportation) taken in the same households. The last nine surveys of the 23 were recent (1983--1985). Review of those nine was based on published materials only. The large-scale surveys generally had less-comprehensive data, while the com...
To reduce the potentially harmful environmental effects of lead in the environment, the US Enviro... more To reduce the potentially harmful environmental effects of lead in the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a reduction in the amount of lead used in leaded gasoline. This report examines the potential impacts of such action on minority and low-income households in the US. The benefits of the EPA's proposal would presumably accrue primarily to households that contain small children and that are located in the central cities of metropolitan areas. This is because small children (under age seven) are particularly susceptible to the effects of lead and also because the automobile traffic density in central cities is higher than in any other area. Potential costs are examined in terms of households that own vehicles requiring leaded gasoline. Costs could accrue either because of higher gasoline prices due to reduced lead content or because of higher vehicle repair costs for engines that must use leaded gasoline to prevent excessive wear. Because of ...
This paper aims to expand the view of MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation model) as a tool that should be u... more This paper aims to expand the view of MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation model) as a tool that should be used at multiple spatial scales: global, national, regional, and local, in establishing and investigating the impacts of sustainability plans. As pointed out by many authors, sustainability is often vague and amorphous. The use of MARKAL makes it analytical and data driven. Further there is a necessity to elucidate that sustainability and environmental justice are tightly linked. By examining the Long Island MARKAL the nexus of sustainability and environmental justice is elucidated. Suggestions for examining, testing, and improving sustainability plans, such as PlaNYC are provided.
This report compares patterns of residential energy use by white, black, Hispanic, low-income, an... more This report compares patterns of residential energy use by white, black, Hispanic, low-income, and nonlow-income households. The observed downward trend in residential energy demand over the period of this study can be attributed primarily to changes in space-heating energy demand. Demand for space-heating energy has experienced a greater decline than energy demand for other end uses for two reasons: (1) it is the largest end use of residential energy, causing public attention to focus on it and on strategies for conserving it; and (2) space-heating expenditures are large relative to other residential energy expenditures. The price elasticity of demand is thus greater, due to the income effect. The relative demand for space-heating energy, when controlled for the effect of climate, declined significantly over the 1978-1982 period for all fuels studied. Income classes do not differ significantly. In contrast, black households were found to use more energy for space heating than white...
Currently, most undergraduates major in a single academic discipline. For students whose intellec... more Currently, most undergraduates major in a single academic discipline. For students whose intellectual interests or career objectives are more appropriately satisfied by crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries, the authors discuss the feasibility of multidisciplinary majors. Three models are studied: a fully integrated interdisciplinary major; a conventional major with an additional module (i.e., a minor) in a second field; and a modular multidisciplinary major comprising two (or more) modules. The option of a modular multidisciplinary major expands the number of majors available to students, and encourages students to broaden their academic and career horizons. Two pilot studies are discussed.
The coastal zone of the United States is a major source of economic and population growth. All as... more The coastal zone of the United States is a major source of economic and population growth. All aspects of the coastal economy — tourism, residential and commercial development — are heavily dependent upon the environmental preservation and recreational quality of beaches. This study characterizes the linkages among beach quality, tourism, and the coastal economy. We document the empirical evidence for the economic and demographic importance of the coastal zone, and for the crucial role that tourism plays in its economy. The remaining piece of the puzzle — the link between beach protection activities on the one hand and tourism and the coastal economy on the other — is less-well substantiated. We identify two economic models that can be used to measure the strength of the relationship between beach quality and the coastal economy. We consider both cross-sectional differences, i.e., variation among coastal counties in recreational and property values as a function of beach quality; and temporal differences, i.e., recreational and property values along the coast both before and after placement of federal shore-protection projects.
The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Economics, 2010
Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to e... more Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to explore the philosophical foundations of sustainable development. It discusses the contending worldviews that inform our relationship with the natural world and show how they affect our understanding of the concept of sustainability. In particular, this chapter reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. This article further reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. Foundations of neoclassical welfare economics is explained in detail. Classical utilitarian theory allows us to construct a measure of social welfare, the total welfare of a community, by summing individual welfare measures across all the individuals in that community. Concepts like theocentric environmentalism are explained in details. It draws upon the Biblical view of man's relationship w...
From the environmental policy maker's point of view, the increase in energy prices in th... more From the environmental policy maker's point of view, the increase in energy prices in the 1970s and early 1980s had the positive effect of reducing pollution emissions by encouraging energy conservation. In particular, increases in energy efficiency in industrial and residential ...
The demand for residential energy arises from the desire for basic amenities, such as heated or c... more The demand for residential energy arises from the desire for basic amenities, such as heated or cooled living space, hot water, and cooked food. These amenities are nonmarket goods; they are simultaneously produced and consumed within the household. Conceptually, ...
The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Economics, 2012
Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to e... more Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to explore the philosophical foundations of sustainable development. It discusses the contending worldviews that inform our relationship with the natural world and show how they a ect our understanding of the concept of sustainability. In particular, this chapter reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. This article further reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. Foundations of neoclassical welfare economics is explained in detail. Classical utilitarian theory allows us to construct a measure of social welfare, the total welfare of a community, by summing individual welfare measures across all the individuals in that community. Concepts like theocentric environmentalism are explained in details. It draws upon the Biblical view of man's relationship with nature. This article draws an extensive comparative study between anthropocentric environmentalism and ecocentric environmentalism.
The United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987), defined “sustainability ” as “meeting the needs ... more The United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987), defined “sustainability ” as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ” Within the business sector, the concept of sustainability has been examined by many (Gladwin, et al, 1995; Jennings and Zandbergen, 1995; Sharma and Ruud, 2003; Schaefer, 2004), and is generally defined by the imperative that a company should take into account social, environmental, and financial performance (Spreckley, 1981). John Elkington (1998) used this concept to coin the phrase "triple bottom line, " which is the foundation of the stakeholder theory1 and for shaping concepts such as the
Survey data bases covering household residential and transportation energy use were reviewed from... more Survey data bases covering household residential and transportation energy use were reviewed from the perspective of energy policy analysts and data base users. Twenty-three surveys, taken from 1972 to 1985, collected information on household energy consumption and expenditures, energy-using capital stock, and conservation activities. Ten of the surveys covered residential energy use only, including that for space heating and cooling, cooking, water heating, and appliances. Six surveys covered energy use only for household travel in personal vehicles. Seven surveys included data on both of these household energy sectors. Complete energy use data for a household in one year can be estimated only for 1983, using two surveys (one residential and one transportation) taken in the same households. The last nine surveys of the 23 were recent (1983--1985). Review of those nine was based on published materials only. The large-scale surveys generally had less-comprehensive data, while the com...
To reduce the potentially harmful environmental effects of lead in the environment, the US Enviro... more To reduce the potentially harmful environmental effects of lead in the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a reduction in the amount of lead used in leaded gasoline. This report examines the potential impacts of such action on minority and low-income households in the US. The benefits of the EPA's proposal would presumably accrue primarily to households that contain small children and that are located in the central cities of metropolitan areas. This is because small children (under age seven) are particularly susceptible to the effects of lead and also because the automobile traffic density in central cities is higher than in any other area. Potential costs are examined in terms of households that own vehicles requiring leaded gasoline. Costs could accrue either because of higher gasoline prices due to reduced lead content or because of higher vehicle repair costs for engines that must use leaded gasoline to prevent excessive wear. Because of ...
This paper aims to expand the view of MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation model) as a tool that should be u... more This paper aims to expand the view of MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation model) as a tool that should be used at multiple spatial scales: global, national, regional, and local, in establishing and investigating the impacts of sustainability plans. As pointed out by many authors, sustainability is often vague and amorphous. The use of MARKAL makes it analytical and data driven. Further there is a necessity to elucidate that sustainability and environmental justice are tightly linked. By examining the Long Island MARKAL the nexus of sustainability and environmental justice is elucidated. Suggestions for examining, testing, and improving sustainability plans, such as PlaNYC are provided.
This report compares patterns of residential energy use by white, black, Hispanic, low-income, an... more This report compares patterns of residential energy use by white, black, Hispanic, low-income, and nonlow-income households. The observed downward trend in residential energy demand over the period of this study can be attributed primarily to changes in space-heating energy demand. Demand for space-heating energy has experienced a greater decline than energy demand for other end uses for two reasons: (1) it is the largest end use of residential energy, causing public attention to focus on it and on strategies for conserving it; and (2) space-heating expenditures are large relative to other residential energy expenditures. The price elasticity of demand is thus greater, due to the income effect. The relative demand for space-heating energy, when controlled for the effect of climate, declined significantly over the 1978-1982 period for all fuels studied. Income classes do not differ significantly. In contrast, black households were found to use more energy for space heating than white...
Currently, most undergraduates major in a single academic discipline. For students whose intellec... more Currently, most undergraduates major in a single academic discipline. For students whose intellectual interests or career objectives are more appropriately satisfied by crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries, the authors discuss the feasibility of multidisciplinary majors. Three models are studied: a fully integrated interdisciplinary major; a conventional major with an additional module (i.e., a minor) in a second field; and a modular multidisciplinary major comprising two (or more) modules. The option of a modular multidisciplinary major expands the number of majors available to students, and encourages students to broaden their academic and career horizons. Two pilot studies are discussed.
The coastal zone of the United States is a major source of economic and population growth. All as... more The coastal zone of the United States is a major source of economic and population growth. All aspects of the coastal economy — tourism, residential and commercial development — are heavily dependent upon the environmental preservation and recreational quality of beaches. This study characterizes the linkages among beach quality, tourism, and the coastal economy. We document the empirical evidence for the economic and demographic importance of the coastal zone, and for the crucial role that tourism plays in its economy. The remaining piece of the puzzle — the link between beach protection activities on the one hand and tourism and the coastal economy on the other — is less-well substantiated. We identify two economic models that can be used to measure the strength of the relationship between beach quality and the coastal economy. We consider both cross-sectional differences, i.e., variation among coastal counties in recreational and property values as a function of beach quality; and temporal differences, i.e., recreational and property values along the coast both before and after placement of federal shore-protection projects.
The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Economics, 2010
Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to e... more Jewish environmental ethics is the essence of this chapter. The objective of this article is to explore the philosophical foundations of sustainable development. It discusses the contending worldviews that inform our relationship with the natural world and show how they affect our understanding of the concept of sustainability. In particular, this chapter reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. This article further reviews the ethical assumptions that underlie anthropocentric, ecocentric, and theocentric environmentalisms. Foundations of neoclassical welfare economics is explained in detail. Classical utilitarian theory allows us to construct a measure of social welfare, the total welfare of a community, by summing individual welfare measures across all the individuals in that community. Concepts like theocentric environmentalism are explained in details. It draws upon the Biblical view of man's relationship w...
From the environmental policy maker's point of view, the increase in energy prices in th... more From the environmental policy maker's point of view, the increase in energy prices in the 1970s and early 1980s had the positive effect of reducing pollution emissions by encouraging energy conservation. In particular, increases in energy efficiency in industrial and residential ...
The demand for residential energy arises from the desire for basic amenities, such as heated or c... more The demand for residential energy arises from the desire for basic amenities, such as heated or cooled living space, hot water, and cooked food. These amenities are nonmarket goods; they are simultaneously produced and consumed within the household. Conceptually, ...
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