Module 8 – Application, Water & Agriculture
Start November 3, end November 13
Objective: Understand and be able to articulate the environmental aspects of fresh water and agricultural economics.
Read the following chapter in An Economic Approach to
Environmental and Natural Resources.
Chapter 15 – Water Resources
Chapter 17 – Agriculture
Written Assignment (50 points) Date Completed ________________
Points ____
Write a 2-3 page paper on one of the following topics:
1. Would marketable pollution permits be a viable option for improving water
quality?
2. Kahn points out that water is often priced below it's market value. He
believes that this is especially true for irrigation water. Is he correct or
are there other reasons to subsidize agricultural water?
3. Should we limit population growth in Maricopa County because we might run
out of water? From an economic standpoint, how could we implement such a limitation?
4. DDT use has been banned in most countries including the US. Since the ban,
malaria has increased in certain countires. Is the ban good or bad economics?
5. What would be the economic effects of converting 200 acres of cotton fields
here in the valley into a golf course?
Email the assignment to me and post it or a summary in the appropriate Module 8 discussion topic.
Discussion I (25 points) Date Completed ________________
Points ____
Critique the arguments made in one of the papers. (Could be your own.)
Discussion II (25 points) Date Completed ________________
Points ____
Critique or defend the economic arguments made in one of the other papers.
Total points for Module 8 (100 possible) Your point total ____