Environmental Economics

Professor: David Vail ( )
Librarian: Carr Ross ( )
Spring 2005

The purpose of this guide is to identify library and Web resources that will help you with your clean energy technologies project. If you have questions feel free to contact Carr (x3545 or cross@bowdoin.edu) or call the Library Reference Desk at x3227.

Magazines, Newspapers and Journals

Search these library databases for articles on all topics connected with clean power and transportation: policies; new & existing technologies, cost of technologies, funding, etc. These databases are important for gaining independent and varied views.

For current, up-to-date information:

For a more scholarly, but less current, look at transportation and energy issues:

  • CIAO (Columbia International Affairs Online)
    -working papers, policy briefs, conference proceedings, foundation-funded research
  • EconLit
    -indexing and abstracting of international economics journals, research papers, working papers
  • PAIS International
    -articles, books and government documents (including the U.N.) in economics, public policy, human rights, infrastructure, etc.

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U.S. Energy Policy


Clean Electricity and Transportation

Technologies: Supply-Side & Demand-Management

  • U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
    -does an excellent job of describing clean power sources (biomass, wind, geothermal, hydro, etc.), demand-management of buildings, transportation, power, and industry, and serving as a gateway to domestic & international government sources, universities & research institutes, trade & nonprofit groups, international organizations, etc.

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Best Practices

  • Best Practices Database (from the U.N.-HABITAT Programme)
    -"over 2150 proven solutions from more than 140 countries to the common social, economic and environmental problems of an urbanizing world." The Database Search link is on the left; use simple searches such as "transportation" or "energy."
  • IEA Policy & Measures Database
    -learn about policies on grants, tax credits, bidding systems, green pricing, and other renewable energy measures taken by International Energy Agency member countries
  • Project on Environmentally Sustainable Transport (.pdf)
    -since 1994 this OECD-initiated project has involved 25 countries; this document reports on economic, social, and practical implications for moving toward environmentally sustainable transport; includes a best practices competition
  • Local Agenda 21
    -Agenda 21 originated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Summit) in 1992. It is an international sustainability planning process implemented at the local level. There are many examples around the world of Agenda 21 projects; probably the best way to find out about them is to Google it.
  • ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives)
    -the ICLEI was founded by local governments in 1990; its "mission is to build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments to achieve tangible improvements in global sustainability with special focus on environmental conditions through cumulative local actions."
  • Energy Saving Trust
    -set up by the U.K. government, its goals are "to encourage the more efficient use of energy within homes and small businesses, stimulate both the demand and supply of cleaner fuelled vehicles, and assist and promote the production and use of renewable energy." There is a lot of useful information at this site, including case studies. Use the dropdown menus at the top of the screen.

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Financing

  • Financing (from the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)
    -financing and incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for the home, business, industry, utilities, and government.
  • Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
    -comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy; an ongoing project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the North Carolina Solar Center

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Energy Consumption, Reserves, Security, and Prices

  • Energy and Resources (World Resources Institute)
    -this excellent site has energy consumption and production figures for renewable and non-renewable sources by country and region
  • Monthly Energy Review
    -for up-to-date and historical energy consumption and prices, from the Energy Information Administration

Measuring International Pollutants and Greenhouse Gases

  • The European Environment Agency (EEA) collects environmental data for the European Union. There is a host of useful information at its Web site. Relevant selections follow. (You may have trouble opening some of the .pdf files at the EEA. If you do have trouble, save the file first to your computer, then open it.)
  • Overview of Products
    -starting page for all of the reports, indicators, maps & graphs, data, and economic instruments at the EEA site

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Kyoto Protocol


CR 5/05