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Economics for Equity and the Environment (E3) is a network of economists doing applied research on environmental issues with a social equity focus.

History and mission

E3 was founded in 2007 by economists Kristen Sheeran, Frank Ackerman, James Boyce, Eban Goodstein, and Astrid Scholz with the goals of (1) developing better theory and research within the economics profession and (2) involving progressive, environmental economists more actively in policy development.

Programs and activities

E3 maintains a Green Economist Directory, searchable by state of residence and area of expertise, of over 150 economists who are committed to its vision of an “engaged, practical economics”. To be included in the directory, economists sign a statement that they agree with the following principles: (1) a clean and safe environment is a birthright of every person; (2) safeguarding the natural environment is inseparable from promoting social justice; and (3) today’s environmental challenges demand an alternative to the anti-regulatory, anti-reform bias that dominates public policy debates.

E3 helps connect its economists with NGOs, media, and decision makers who need economic arguments for environmental protection. E3 economists publish in journals, books, and newspapers. E3 also works with graduate students in economics to get them more involved in applied research on environmental issues through workshops, internships, and dissertation fellowships.

E3’s climate taskforce has contributed to the debates over the economics of climate change. Climate taskforce economists have testified before Congress and the European Parliament and presented their research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the American Economic Association, the United States Society for Ecological Economics (USSEE), and other venues. The climate taskforce’s recent project, Real Climate Economics.org, launched in May 2009.

Publications

Real People, Real Environments, and Realistic Economics

Greenhouse Gases and the American Lifestyle: Understanding Interstate Differences in Emissions

Cap and Dividend: A State-by-State Analysis

The Economics of 350: The Benefits and Costs of Climate Stabilization Real People, Real Environments, and Realistic Economics (forthcoming)

Associated organizations

Ecotrust

Stockholm Environment Institute

Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst