Nightmare Climate Scenarios
The economist Martin Weitzman got scientists and politicians to think about the worst-case outcomes of global warming. We’re seeing them happen right now.
Writing
My columns, essays, books, as well as research and teaching materials like case studies.
Cheaper solar PV is key to addressing climate change
The rapidly dropping price of solar power has transformed how we think about clean energy. But it needs to still get a whole lot cheaper.
Economics Needs a Climate Revolution
With its fixation on equilibrium thinking and an exclusive focus on market factors that can be precisely measured, the neoclassical orthodoxy in economics is fundamentally unequipped to deal with today's biggest problems. Change within the discipline is underway, but it cannot come fast enough.
Fear of Geoengineering Is Really Anxiety About Cutting Carbon
Research into unproven technofixes isn’t a replacement for eliminating emissions, even if the debate over geoengineering is stuck on that concern.
Germany's climate election
There is plenty of debate and acrimony, but there is indeed debate about policy solutions.
A To-Do List for the New Climate Activists on Exxon’s Board
After a week when three oil giants were forced to face climate urgency, a guide to what concrete change might look like.
The Climate Tipping Point We Want
The green transition comes with costs; but they are well worth it, and they pale in comparison to the costs of inaction. The ever-falling costs of renewables have not eliminated the politics of climate change. But they certainly have made our choices much easier.
Carbon Taxes Cut Emissions, Not Jobs or Economic Growth
It’s easy to see why infrastructure spending would cut emissions, while creating jobs. Carbon taxes appear to do the same.
Why the Biden Administration Should Propose Carbon Tariffs
Assessing tariffs based on the carbon content of goods is complicated, but will lead to stronger climate policy and better economic outcomes.
Infrastructure means jobs
Jobs vs. environment is an old trope whose time has passed.
Recalculate the social cost of carbon
The science is ripe to update estimates of CO2 emissions costs. Calls to scrap the calculation are misguided.
How to Judge Biden’s Climate Record
To assess the effectiveness of climate policies, don’t look at today’s CO₂ emissions, instead focus on the trajectory.
It’s Too Late for Big Oil’s Pivot to a Carbon Tax
The American Petroleum Institute is considering endorsing a carbon price. That’s a big shift, but a carbon price alone is not good climate policy.
Zurück in die Stadt!
Im Einfamilienhaus leben zu wollen, ist eine gesellschaftliche und psychologische Entscheidung – mit einer schlechten Klimabilanz. Ein radikales Umdenken ist notwendig.
Eight priorities for calculating the social cost of carbon
by Gernot Wagner, David Anthoff, Maureen Cropper, Simon Dietz, Kenneth T. Gillingham, Ben Groom, J. Paul Kelleher, Frances C. Moore, and James H. Stock
A tale of two carbon prices
The U.S. is updating a number with the potential to push federal regulations into overdrive.
The Biggest Climate Change Stories of 2020
Climate change mitigation became an economic positive
Don't discount states
The Biden administration should look to states as a laboratory for innovative climate action.
Climate policies without Congress
Science-based regulatory policies and a White House climate office could help counteract warming, no legislation required.
Biden's unifying climate plan
Instead of narrowly addressing carbon pricing, as economists have traditionally favored, the proposal has many aims