Environmental Economics Unplugged: Navigating the Green Energy Future
Many people think economics is the study of money, but it’s really about balancing human wants and needs with scarce resources. Environmental economics explores how to balance human wants and needs with the needs of our ecosystems. Sharon Shewmake will walk you through how economists approach thorny questions about environmental protection, the green energy economy and how the Institute for Energy Studies provides opportunities for interdisciplinary studies. She’ll also talk about the tension between how economists think we should address climate change, how the general public sees the problem, how these viewpoints come together in the state legislature and how you can be part of the solution.
About the Speaker
Sharon Shewmake is an economics professor at WWU in both the College of Business and Economics and the Institute for Energy Studies. She teaches courses in microeconomics, environmental economics, urban economics and energy policy. Her research is focused on how our choices in areas around housing and transportation impact the environment, especially climate change.
In 2018, she decided to run for the state legislature. She didn’t expect to win, but she was encouraged by her students at WWU and thought running for office would be an opportunity to learn more about the community, talk about the economics of climate change and become a better social scientist. Ever since pulling off a surprise win, she has been splitting her time between WWU and the state legislature with both jobs providing insights and benefits to the students and constituents she serves.
Environmental Speaker Series
The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.
The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via Zoom. Register with The Foundation for WWU & Alumni for the zoom link. Parking is available in lot C.
Learn more about the Environmental Speaker Series
Email Alumni@wwu.edu to be added to a mailing list to hear about upcoming events.