The Nature, Causes, and Consequences of Student Deselection and Criminalization
By Katherine Irwin and James Roumasset1 A central principle of public economics is that the government should correct market failures. For example, when a firm’s pollution imposes social cost on society—an externality—the market fails to provide an efficient allocation of resources. The externality can be corrected by forcing the firm to pay for the cost […]
Read MoreInclusion of local values underpins success of payments for ecosystem services – read more in UHERO Environmentʻs new publication
UHERO Environment’s Leah Bremer is lead author on a new interdisciplinary publication, “Embedding local values in Payments for Ecosystem Services for transformative change,” which is part of a special issue in Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability synthesizing findings from the International Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Values Assessment. The authors find that integrating […]
Read MoreEmbedding local values in Payments for Ecosystem Services for transformative change
Abstract: The potential for Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs to integrate nature’s diverse values into decision-making, and thereby support broader transformative change, is of increasing research interest. We analyze published reviews and case studies of PES from the IPBES Values Assessment to evaluate 1) how diverse values were (or were not) articulated through PES […]
Read MoreSea level rise risk interactions with coastal property values: a case study of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Abstract: Climate change-induced sea level rise (SLR) will affect a range of coastal assets and prompt difficult decisions about coastal land use across the world. Several recent studies find that current and projected SLR is associated with relatively lower property values. We contribute to this growing body of research with a case study of O‘ahu, […]
Read MoreEconomic Perspective of Maui’s Devastating Wildfires
By James Mak, Paul Brewbaker, and Frank Haas Lahaina is a very special place with so much deep, rich history. Over time, it’s evolved. It’s been many things. It’s been the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It’s been home base for generations of Maui chiefs. It’s been a center of commerce in whaling. It’s been […]
Read MoreYou’re Invited: Kīpuni Aloha no Maui – A Statewide Vigil for Beloved Maui on September 1
With heartfelt aloha, the Hawaiian locality comes together to extend support, healing, and reflection during these challenging times. With the guidance of our Kūpuna, Kumu Hula, Kahu, and cultural practitioners, we honor the urgent need to create spaces for prayer, cleansing, and reflection so our loved ones can grieve and our ‘āina and people can […]
Read MoreNewly Published Study Highlights Equitable Ecosystem Investment Through Water Funds
New publication in Conservation Letters by UHERO Environment’s Leah Bremer and colleagues on the importance of centering fairness and relationships in the design and implementation of ecosystem investment programs. Recommendations are based on a decade of research on water funds in the Andes, South America. Bremer, Leah L., Kate A. Brauman, and Marta Echavarría. “Toward […]
Read MoreToward more equitable ecosystem investment programs—Adaptation and equity are central to the design and functioning of successful water funds
Abstract: Projects designed to incentivize ecosystem management for societal benefits are becoming increasingly popular and are often touted as win–win solutions for social and environmental challenges. Yet, there are important concerns about the equity and justice implications of these programs, and there is strong evidence that a lack of attention to justice can exacerbate or […]
Read MoreEmbracing TOU: Nudges, Rates, and Renewable Energy
By Michael Roberts, Nori Tarui and Ethan Hartely Hawaiian Electric Company is about to embark on a significant experiment: a pilot program introducing time-of-use (TOU) pricing. Designed to reduce electricity prices during daylight hours when solar power is abundant and increase them during the evening when the sun sets and demand rises, this initiative could […]
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