Economics ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-29-2019

Abstract

The 2018 IPCC report declared damages from climate change rapidly approaching. This dissertation consists of three empirical studies employing unique data sets and three econometric methods. First, I consider energy portfolios; I find that political affiliation is not the strongest driving factor of heterogeneity. Second, I examine the impact of observable characteristics in explaining preferences for the environment and regulation; I find opinion on climate change is an important factor and that omitting it results in changes to the significance of other factors. Finally, I study the impact of wildfires on visitation to national parks; I find that in the short run, visitation increases following a wildfire but as the number of fires per year increases, visitation decreases. Using both revealed and stated preference studies, I find that preferences do not fit into neat boxes that can be succinctly summarized. These results provide insights form policymakers to better develop policies.

Degree Name

Economics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Economics

First Committee Member (Chair)

Janie M Chermak

Second Committee Member

Jennifer Thacher

Third Committee Member

Brady Horn

Fourth Committee Member

Shana McDermott

Project Sponsors

(NSF EPSCoR Energize New Mexico Award # 1301346); Center for Regional Studies

Language

English

Keywords

natural resource economics, environmental economics, preferences, wildfire, energy

Document Type

Dissertation

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Economics Commons

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