Browsing by Subject "Green products"

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Essays on the optimal policy response to climate change
(2011-05) Kaufman, Noah; Wiseman, Thomas E., 1974-; Dusansky, Richard; Chiburis, Richard; Williams, Roberton C.; Palmer, Karen L.
Unchecked anthropogenic climate change has the potential to destroy human lives and wealth on an unprecedented scale. This dissertation analyzes from an economic perspective various public policy options to correct the market failures caused by climate change. The widespread adoption of environmentally friendly consumer products can reduce the impacts of climate change. The first chapter analyzes various methods of encouraging the market performance of these products. I build a model of observational learning in which a "green" consumer good enters a market to challenge an established "dirty" product. Among other results, I provide conditions for when financial incentives or informational campaigns should be more effective at encouraging the market performance of green products. I also provide a discussion and an empirical analysis of the performance of compact fluorescent light bulbs in the U.S. residential market, and compare the findings to the predictions of the theoretical model. The second chapter provides a critic of the macroeconomic models economists have used to determine optimal climate change abatement policies. I build a model that can incorporate more realistic ranges of uncertainty for both the occurrence of catastrophic events and societal risk aversion than economists have used in the past. Numerical simulations are then used to calculate a range of risk premiums, the magnitude of which display that previous calculations of optimal carbon dioxide taxes are too imprecise to support any particular policy recommendation. Government-backed energy-efficiency programs have become popular as components of local and national strategies to combat climate change. The effectiveness of such policies hinges on whether they provide the appropriate incentives to both energy consumers and program implementers. The third chapter analyzes evaluations of California's energy-efficiency programs to assess their effectiveness at improving our understanding of the programs' performance and providing a check on utility incentives to overstate energy savings. We find, among other results, that evaluations are useful tools to achieve both of these goals because the programs largely did not meet their energy-savings projections, and the utility savings estimates are systematically higher than the third-party savings estimates of the evaluations.
Exploring the application of the green movement to the theatre with a focus on the costume shop
(2011-05) Maynard, Natalie Lynn; Glavan, James; Martel, Denise
Theatre is an art form that combines the art of storytelling with the visual arts. Every production begins with a blank canvas, and it is up to the director and a team of designers to discuss concepts and decide on an artistic vision for the piece. Skilled artisans work quickly as a team to produce the vision of the designer and director. During the production process waste is generated in the scene shop, props shop, costume shop, and rehearsal space. The products that are used to create the design can often contain harmful ingredients for both the artisan and the environment. No longer willing to ignore the responsibility that theatres have as stewards to the environment many artisans are leading the way by exploring safer practices and products. The research for this thesis is focused on the theatrical costume shop and examines dry cleaning, fabric painting and dyeing, and waste disposal. Alternatives to regular dry cleaning practices and commonly used and otherwise toxic products are available for a variety of processes we use in the theatre. For this study I conducted one hundred and sixty five surveys, ten interviews and a quality test amongst the dry cleaning alternatives in Austin, Texas. Three sets of seven different fabric samples were cleaned using the standard solvent and the alternative methods for dry cleaning. Four professional dyers and painters were interviewed about their dyeing process, disposal practices, and the impact that “green” products have on their work. I spoke with two experts working in wastewater about the impact dyes and paints have on wastewater treatment plants. Finally, I conducted an anonymous survey in 2010 to find out what new products or methods are in use amongst costume shop managers, dyers and painters, and production managers.