Author Archives: Adam Bailey

A Difficulty in Assessing Sustainability

Posted on September 9, 2017

Long-term forecasting of the aggregate production function is essential for assessing sustainability, but very difficult. Is our current living standard sustainable?  Or does depletion of non-renewable natural resources such as fossil fuels and metal ores mean that it must eventually … Continue reading →

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A Valuation Case Study: the Great Barrier Reef

Posted on July 15, 2017

A valuation of the Great Barrier Reef illustrates many common issues in the economics of environmental valuation. A recent report by Deloitte Access Economics (1) estimates the asset value of the Great Barrier Reef at A$56 billion (2).  This is … Continue reading →

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Energy and Environment in China

Posted on May 27, 2017

Arthur Kroeber’s book on China’s economy includes an excellent section on energy but a rather selective account of its environmental issues. Arthur Kroeber’s book China’s Economy in Oxford University Press’s What Everyone Needs to Know series (1) deserves a wide … Continue reading →

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Net National Product and Sustainability

Posted on May 17, 2017

National product, measured net of a deduction for depletion of natural resources, can in certain conditions provide some indication of whether current consumption is sustainable.  But the conditions are stringent, and even when they are met, other indicators may perform … Continue reading →

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