TY - JOUR

T1 - Book Review: Markets and the Environment, Nathaniel O. Keohane and Sheila M. Olmstead, Washington, DC: Island Press, 2007

AU - Kemfert, Claudia

PY - 2008/5/12

Y1 - 2008/5/12

N2 - The book Markets and the Environment presents an insightful introduction to the subject of environmental economics. It is addressed primarily to university students but, because of the informal style of the book, it could also be of interest to a wider range of professionals. The book explains why environmental concerns arise and why economics is central both in assessing environmental impacts and for environmental policy. As the book is written in such a way that it can be understood by everybody—whether students, professionals, or interested citizens—it is perfect for an introductory course in environmental economics. Many examples help the reader to understand complex issues without difficulty. However, as it is written in a way that everybody can follow, it does not provide a deep analysis of many problems of environmental economics. Thus, the main advantage of the book is also its main weakness. The book's content is “in between” a deep analysis of the subject and an easy read. So, it might be too superficial for interested students but may in some parts be too difficult for the professional. The newspaper reader interested in environmental and climate change topics might find the book a bit too theoretical, whereas the student will search for a more profound analysis of the subjects. The book should primarily be addressed to first-year students to gain an overview of environmental economics. It provides all the relevant information when starting to study environmental economics.

AB - The book Markets and the Environment presents an insightful introduction to the subject of environmental economics. It is addressed primarily to university students but, because of the informal style of the book, it could also be of interest to a wider range of professionals. The book explains why environmental concerns arise and why economics is central both in assessing environmental impacts and for environmental policy. As the book is written in such a way that it can be understood by everybody—whether students, professionals, or interested citizens—it is perfect for an introductory course in environmental economics. Many examples help the reader to understand complex issues without difficulty. However, as it is written in a way that everybody can follow, it does not provide a deep analysis of many problems of environmental economics. Thus, the main advantage of the book is also its main weakness. The book's content is “in between” a deep analysis of the subject and an easy read. So, it might be too superficial for interested students but may in some parts be too difficult for the professional. The newspaper reader interested in environmental and climate change topics might find the book a bit too theoretical, whereas the student will search for a more profound analysis of the subjects. The book should primarily be addressed to first-year students to gain an overview of environmental economics. It provides all the relevant information when starting to study environmental economics.

KW - Economics

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/e2ca7f7d-7496-3fc2-a2e3-b3eadad6290c/

U2 - 10.1111/j.1574-0862.2008.00308.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1574-0862.2008.00308.x

M3 - Critical reviews

VL - 38

SP - 385

EP - 387

JO - Agricultural Economics

JF - Agricultural Economics

SN - 0169-5150

IS - 3

ER -