Economic Analysis of California Climate-Justice Bills and Policies
Clair Brown, Professor
Economics
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
This project focuses on the Richmond ballot measure to impose $1 per barrel tax on Chevron, and on major California legislation related to Environmental Justice or climate justice that are submitted in 2025. The students will work on finding and evaluating data and research studies related to the problem the bill addresses, and then evaluate the bill in order to understand the benefits and costs for at-risk communities and for mitigation of emissions 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, 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 the bills in depth, students will be ask to analyze specific data and present it visually with quick turnaround times, so that the Professor can quickly respond to questions raised by California lawmakers and agencies.
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 at 12 noon, periodically both in person and by zoom. Do not apply for this URAP team unless you can attend the mandatory weekly meetings.
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.
Related website: https://buddhisteconomics.net
Related website: https://buddhisteconomics.net