Umweltökonomik

Umweltökonomik, also known as environmental economics, is a branch of economics that studies the relationship between the economy and the environment. It examines how environmental factors affect economic activities and how economic activities impact the environment. This field analyzes issues such as pollution, resource depletion, climate change, and biodiversity loss from an economic perspective.

Key concepts in Umweltökonomik include externalities, where the cost or benefit of an economic activity is not reflected in its market price, leading to environmental damage or benefit. For instance, pollution from a factory is a negative externality. Umweltökonomik seeks to find solutions to these problems, often through policy interventions.

Methods employed in environmental economics include cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the economic efficiency of environmental regulations and the valuation of environmental goods and services, which are often not traded in markets. Tools such as pollution taxes, cap-and-trade systems, and subsidies are analyzed for their effectiveness in achieving environmental goals while minimizing economic costs. The field also explores sustainable development, aiming to balance economic growth with environmental protection for future generations. It bridges economic theory with ecological principles to understand and address environmental challenges.