How can we create a sustainable future that protects and responsibly utilizes our tropical rain forests, drinking water, clean air, biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, endangered species, and other natural assets while improving and maintaining standards of living? National and global environmental issues are one of the central challenges we face in the twenty-first century, and we need leaders who are able to listen carefully to all stakeholders, analyze and explain the economic costs and benefits, and help develop solutions that support economic and environmental goals. Environmental leadership is about balance.
The Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics offers an interdisciplinary curriculum with a variety of courses in the natural sciences and economics. Our faculty are experts in the field who are recognized for pioneering academic research and their contributions to the formulation of major regional, national and international policies.
News
Sonia Refulio-Coronado on Water Quality Equity - A Ph.D. candidate in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Sonia Refulio-Coronado explores surface and drinking water quality issues across the United States with a focus on equity. 
URI awarded $1.5M EPSCoR grant to team with Warren on coastal resilience - A multidisciplinary team of scientists are working with stakeholders in Warren to address worsening climate hazards that are affecting coastal communities, including flooding and salinization, as part of a three-state collaboration backed by the National Science Foundation.
URI faculty join New England partnership for climate resilience, adaptation - Professors Soni Pradhanang, Madison Jones, Jason Parent and Emi Uchida part of $6 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation for collaborative study of climate change and resilience.
URI Professor of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Emi Uchida named Pew Fellow - Uchida is one of six recipients recognized this year by Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation.
URI researchers develop plan for Global Center focused on Blue Climate Solutions - URI Professor Emi Uchida, Ph.D., leads a new NSF grant to bridge international expertise and communities around mangrove/seagrass ecosystems.