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
New Exciting Course on Experimental Economics! - Experiments in economics? Come learn how we can use experimental economics to design better policy! New course for Fall 2022: EEC 450 Experimental Economics (MWF 9-9:50 am, Tyler Hall 106).
URI researcher receives grant to help reduce conflict between fishing, wind industries - University of Rhode Island natural resource economist, Thomas Sproul has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to create a new way of documenting where commercial fishing is conducted in southern New England waters.
Simona Trandafir featured among URI offshore renewable energy experts - Through her work with students, she emphasizes the unique opportunities, through the Block Island Wind Farm, to contribute to learning and how we think about energy issues in terms of the economics.