Economic Analysis of California Climate-Justice Bills and Policies
Clair Brown, Professor
Economics
Open. Apprentices needed for the Fall semester. Enter your application online beginning August 22nd. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 2nd, 4pm.
This project focuses on the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, which is currently a bill being considered by the California legislature. Students will learn about the bill, and add to the economic analysis of the bill that earlier URAP teams did. Here is a report on the Economic Analysis of the Climate Superfund Act that is currently in the state legislature:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cPp2a6fy-K6UOwFFy2SyfDEoZKpToL2qcVNuZjgSqOs/edit?tab=t.0
The Econ team will also work with a Public Health team led by Professor Julia Walsh. Some times the two URAP teams will meet together with an outside speaker or to present results.
Students will also learn about the legislative process and about how to work with lawmakers to educate them about the bill.
The URAP teams might also work on other major California bills related to climate justice that are submitted in 2026.
The economic analysis includes students finding and evaluating data and research studies related to the problem the bill addresses. They will also analyze the critiques raised by opponents of the bill. The goal is to understand the benefits and costs of a specific climate policy in California.
Students will provide material and activities for educating the public, lawmakers and staff, and state agencies.
Role: Students will study the reports and data already collected for a specific climate-related problem, and then set up a method for evaluating a proposed bill that addresses this problem. Students will work in teams of two or three, and focus on one specific bill.
Students will also collect data to address specific questions about the bill and what it does, and do it in a timely manner, as we work with California lawmakers and their staff.
This URAP teaches how to set up research to address a specific problem, and how to use the research to evaluate a potential policy that addresses the problem.
Qualifications: Students need analytical skills to set up a database; apply statistical analysis (eg, correlations, simple regressions, multivariate analysis); and capability to present data in user friendly charts and graphs. While analyzing a bill in depth, students will also respond to lawmakers questions to analyze specific data and present it visually with quick turnaround times. The URAP teams will have required weekly meetings with Professor Brown, to present what they have done and plan what to do next. The meetings will be both in person at IRLE (2521 Channing Way) and on zoom. Students should be able to work independently, with critical thinking and initiative, and be good time managers. Students need to care about climate-related problems and how policies impact at-risk, low-income communities as well as mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We will meet Monday afternoon at noon, or 2 pm [exact time to be decided by team], periodically both in person and by zoom. Do not apply for this URAP team unless you can attend the mandatory weekly meeting on Monday. This is a two semesters research project, and students are expected to continue our research on California bills and policies in the Spring 2025 semester.
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Both On-Campus and Off-Campus Research Site: Required weekly one-hour meetings are on Professor's zoom or in-person at IRLE, 2521 Channing Way. The mandatory meeting will be on Mondays, either at noon or 2 pm, depending on team's preference.
Related website: https://buddhisteconomics.net
Related website: https://buddhisteconomics.net