ECON 295: Introduction to Sustainable Development Washington and Lee University Spring 2018 Professor: James F Casey Email: caseyj@wlu.edu Class: MWF 9-12, Wilson Hall 2019 Office Hours: MWF 12-1 and TR by appointment Office Location: Holtkamp 119 Course Description In September 2015, the world adopted a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015-2030 to replace the Millennium Development Goals when they expired in 2015. These SDGs set targets for reducing poverty, protecting the environment, and increasing equality of opportunity for those who may have had less than equal opportunity in the past – These are the three pillars of Sustainable Development. The primary objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the concept, theories, and potential outcomes of sustainable development. In addition to this, we will take a case study approach and look at policies and programs that have aimed to address each of the
I thought that this was a particularly interesting article and one which really hit close to home. Growing up adjacent to the ocean, it is generally the first thing that I miss about California when I come back to school. Although I had never thought of the psychological components to being near the ocean, it makes sense that there is a particular hormonal response to being on a beach and the various factors that the author laid out, such as the comforting and predictable sounds of the waves, the plainer and flat surface of the water, the color blue (which is why facebook's theme is blue) being associated with togetherness and comfort and the comforting nature of the sand. It made total sense why these various things, in combination, create such positive association for visitors. In addition, it was cool reading about non-market valuation as it comes to beaches and how highly visitors value beach visits; this really underscores the necessity to preserve and protect beaches as they continue to be eroded and threatened with increasing climate change.
ReplyDeleteThis Blue Mind summit sounds like Art Goldsmith’s dream conference. Informing economic thought with psychology and neurology, the paper offers viewpoints that we may never had heard in an Environmental Economics class 20 years ago. Putting a bunch of experts from different disciplines all in the same room to look at a serious problem is, I think, the way a lot of the world’s future problems are going to get solved. I appreciated Nichols’ insight that academia too often places such an emphasis on “objectivity” that many academic papers are, so to speak, “authorless.” By refusing to add any personal or, as he says “emotional stuff,” to publications, I think academics often fail to tell a complete story about their research that has real significance for people reading their work. By becoming absorbed into the project, authors often fail to connect in a real way with their audiences. This interdisciplinary approach is extremely helpful to someone like Scott Huettel in his study of people valuating the satisfaction they’ll get from beach trips. He can blend psychology, neurology, and economics to create a compelling story about memory-formation.
ReplyDeleteI think Mason makes some strong points here. A conversation like beach preservation shouldn't just include economists. Psychologists, biologists, sociologists, etc. need to be part of the conversation here. All too often, as we have discussed in class, GDP isn't the be all end all measure of our welfare. As smart as I believe these economists who write these "authorless" papers are (and this is not to say they don't contribute immensely to the field), they're not going to be able to tell me where I draw my happiness or value from. If we try to be "objective" and choose to only base our judgement on arguments like that, we're doing ourselves a disservice as we're missing a huge piece of our net welfare.
DeleteI really appreciate Wallace Nichols emphasis on passion and its role in his career. I was recently advised to avoid using the word "passion" in job interviews. This seemed odd, but the elimination of passion in professional settings seems common. As a PhD, Nichols is open about his love for the ocean and prefers speaking in terms of enthusiasm rather than what the articles states as the "dry rhetoric of science," which personally resonates with me. I would argue passion prepares individuals to be resilient at work and enthusiastic even in the toughest of situations. I believe the source of anxiety within academic and profession worlds around expressing passion is a belief that involving feelings undermines validity of their arguments, potentially adding bias to their research. This may be especially true in the environmental world, where scientists have faced backlash from people whose ideology do not aligns with the messages their data sends. By focusing on hard science, professionals may believe this gives them a better chance in getting their message across without controversy or doubtfulness. Research published by the Pew Research Center shows that only 39% of Americans have "a lot" of trust in climate scientists information. I think the balance between passion and objectivity is a tough act for many environmental scientists and it is refreshing to see Nichols embraces this mentality.
ReplyDeleteThis aspect of the article stood out to me as well, and I think you made a great point in specifying how having passion for one’s work can sustain people through difficult situations. I agree with your point on the potential for some to perceive the scientists’ research as biased if the scientists are passionate and emotionally-invested in their work, as their feelings and beliefs may infringe upon their objectivity. However, as evidenced in the current range of opinions on climate change, focusing on and presenting findings in this “just-the-facts approach” as Nichols describes, is still not enough to convince everyone of the soundness of their research. As you mention, this approach should get “their message across without controversy or doubtfulness” and yet, a disparity still persists. Research conducted in the field of social psychology can help inform why only 39% of Americans have “a lot” of trust in research done by climate scientists. Studies support that people are more receptive to embracing information and influence from individuals they perceive as belonging to similar social groups as themselves. When presenting research and courses of action, these studies highlight the importance of not only focusing on facts, but also the value in forming connections to others and tailoring messages to appeal to different perspectives.
DeleteI thought this article brought up a great point about how emotional connections are excluded in the academic world. This is relevant to a conversation today in lecture when we discussed the impacts of global climate change on the economy in the Caribbean. I was particularly interested in the Caribbean because I conducted my thesis research in Dominica last summer. The trip was strictly academic, where I focused on studying landslides and erosional process on the island to better improve hazard mitigation. In class Professor Casey asked, “Who has visited the Caribbean and why did you go?” My immediate answer was to say research, but in reality I chose the research position because I wanted to experience the blue waters and luscious landscapes. This is most likely the common response for tourists who go to Caribbean beaches. Understanding the emotional aspect of visiting these places is very relevant when thinking about the tourism industry. Moreover, neuroconservation is relevant to issues of climate change. Increasing storm intensities as a result of climate change is devastating for tourism on the island. Natural disasters negatively impact Caribbean economies, since tourism is the main industry in places like Dominica. Tourism is driven by the emotional and neurological responses that the paper discusses. Therefore, I think academic communities should start understanding emotional connections because neuroconservation could be an important factor in combating climate change.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Catherine Franssen’s perspective in this reading when comparing humans to rodents in captivity when exposed to natural materials. In a lot of ways, us humans are like these rodents in captivity. We are all subjected to artificial and man-made infrastructure in our everyday lives. When we go to the beach and don’t see any major developments out on the water, we are subjected to pure nature in a way similar to the rodents mentioned. Our level of captivity and exposure to nature is obviously very different when compared to these rodents but the same idea remains. The ocean is one of the last places in the world that humans have not developed. I personally enjoy the beach for this exact reason. The exposure to the open waters, untamed nature, and powerful waves is incredibly relaxing and is a nice break from heavily developed areas.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it was interesting to read about the non-market valuation of beaches, I didn't find this article necessarily that interesting or groundbreaking. It's no surprise that we enjoy beaches- each person for a different reason. Nonetheless, I am skeptical to believe, as the author claims, that "by studying what draws us to the ocean, we can then use that information to help save it." I think most efforts to preserve beaches will fall victim to the free rider problem. I value the beach now and value its existence for future generations. But do I necessarily want to pay for more beach preservation if someone else will? Not really. Maybe some sort of beach tax or fee could get away from the private market's free rider problem. However, I would hate to see free public beach access become a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the author’s comments resonated with my experiences in getting outside, whether it be a trip to the beach or anything that takes me out of the typical daily routine. I thought about the overall positive neurological effects of outdoor experiences, and whether our use of phones has any significant impacts on those experiences. They certainly allow us to make important connections across the world, but in this case they may not be well suited in situations where we seek restorative experiences in nature. Phones provide acoustic disturbances and we may connect them with more stressful events and deadlines, among many other distractions that may disturb typical outdoor trips. I think its important to consider given the fact that I sometimes only focus on the things going on within my reach, and in doing so miss out on opportunities that may be more valuable. With this kind of research occurring, it helps people like me better understand what types of benefits I might be missing out on, and may provide incentives to care more or place more value on the surrounding environment.
ReplyDeleteI found this article to be particularly interesting. However, I do not think that these benefits are constrained solely to the beach. Instead, I believe that these characteristics and benefits can be found on most relaxing vacations. Beaches just happen to be the most popular destination. It is reasonable to assume that trips to the mountains, or other national parks could have similar effects. The study mentions that ocean sounds help to decrease stress. This effect may be further strengthened by the strong associations our brains have with the beach and relaxation due to memories of vacations growing up. Conversely, when we are surrounded by traffic noises and urban sounds we are often in the midst of work, so it is natural that our body would increase its stress levels at these sounds. Regardless of the exact mechanism, the ocean, and nature in general is an extremely popular method for escaping the stress of people's everyday lives. I also found it fascinating that the brain chemically values abstract things such as the sunset. This seems like it holds great potential for fields such as behavioral economics.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with J.T.s point of view on the article. While I am passionate about the beach and it is my favorite vacation destination, I could see how for others, that could be different depending on their vacation experiences. To me, what makes a place special is the past experiences I have had there and the mindset I have going into the place. If I have negative memories of sitting in a certain carrel in the library for hours in a past exam week, I will most likely not want to go back, but if I only have good memories about watching the sunset by the Maury river, it will continue to be a “happy place” for me. While it was interesting to read about how, “Ocean waves generate negative ions, charged air particles that have been linked to mental energy and emotional well-being,” I think the experience that one has with their “happy place” is special for each individuals’ unique reason and memories.
DeleteTo be completely honest, I prefer going to the lake. You still get the same peace and tranquility, calmness of the water, and proximity to nature, but without all the sand (I’m not a fan). Nevertheless, Yeoman’s article resonated with me on a number of different levels. I think it’s very important to remind people of the therapeutic qualities of nature. The article was primarily concerned with beaches, one of the more sought after landscapes, but other, less sexy environments can induce similarly positive emotional and psychological responses. Taking a stroll through the woods or even a grassy knoll can reduce stress and help one relax. I am somewhat skeptical of the extent to which neuroconservation can provide insights for sustainability. I think our obsession with beaches has more to do with the idea of a beach experience rather than the actual beach itself, and for sustainability purposes those two might not be compatible. If more and more people keep enjoying the beach, cheap and irresponsible development will likely continue and we will destroy beach after beach. However, if you strip away the daiquiris, easy access to sport fishing, beach chairs, resorts, etc., people might not continue to vacation in Florida. I’m not sure that our brains inherently value a beach more than the woods, and there is something to be said for how we have been conditioned to think about the beach experience.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this article, similar to Howard, I also thought that the beach is probably not the ultimate relaxation destination for myself. Although I like to go for a week because its novel, I would prefer to spend time in flat farmlands because ultimately that's most common to my mind. I wonder what role where you were raised plays in shaping which landscapes allow your brain to rest. I have a friend who was raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and she has talked about the blue mind concept before and loves being around the ocean. I was raised in rural Wisconsin, and so to me one of my favorite sights are the flat farmlands of central Illinois. I even sometimes feel claustrophobic here in the Shenandoah valley because there is no flat land. And the thought of depths and expanse of the ocean makes me feel more panicky than at rest. Like Howard discusses, I think the beach can be a relaxing place for many people, but I think Yeoman's concept of the calming power of nature can be applied to other environments and landscapes as well. I would be interested to learn if anyone has done any similar work on other environments and if they took into account where people were raised and how that effects their preference for certain views.
DeleteMy family has gone to the beach about once a year for essentially as long as I've been alive so I feel this article on a spiritual level. Our annual visits to Sea Island (off the coast of Georgia) are something I love and savor every second of. I've always thought people loved the beach just because it was a place you go on vacation and vacation = no work = happiness. I've never really thought that the particular visuals or sounds associated with the beach had a particular impact on the human brain, so that was interesting to read about. I'm not entirely convinced on the subject that the sound waves associated with ocean waves do me more good than, say, the sounds of rustling leaves, but I'll be curious to see how the science develops. I disagree however, with the author about not feeling safe in a forest thanks to lurking animals. I personally love hiking and camping, and find the ocean more dangerous than the forest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that being in or around natural settings such as the ocean or a forest can be regenerative and soothing for our minds--it's the perfect foil for the stressful, always-moving lifestyles that must of us lead. Catching a glimpse of a mountain ridge or a sunset allows us to ever-so-briefly disconnect from whatever is plaguing our thoughts and focus on something that is upfront and simple. I think this helps us stay centered and focused on what really matters to us--it is so easy today to get too wrapped up in schoolwork, work-work, cell phones, etc., and I think the wonder of natural landscapes helps us snap out of it. These moments of temporary mental relief are probably not bound to just natural landscapes; I think there are many other examples of things in our lives that can play a similar role: exercise, cooking a meal, listening to music--these are all things that can bring meaning to our lives because they distract our attention from our worries and allow us to take a step back.
ReplyDeleteThis article puts into perspective just how important oceans and beaches are, not only for the environment and its native species, but also to people and their mental health. In my opinion, the same thing can be said about spending time in the outdoors more inland and participating in such activities as hiking and camping. There's something about nature in general that grounds us, and helps us to deal with the stresses of modern day urban life. A study that delves into the mental and emotional benefits of these resources could do a lot to help the fight for preservation because these sentiments are shared across the globe. I doubt there is a person on this planet that would rather take a walk down a busy street than a walk on the beach or a scenic trail. Framing the conversation in this context can help sway people to think about what life would be like if we were to lose these opportunities, and it would make the issue of preservation a more personal one than it can sometimes seem when the emotional aspect is stripped away.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this article. It is easy to get caught up in the specific issues regarding environmental damage and forget why humans should care about the environment in the first place (other than the fact that its morally the right thing to do to protect the earth for the species that live here and for future generations.) Nature actually serves a purpose in our lives and connects us with the earth we live on in a profound way that brings us back to the core of who we are as humans. It has this amazing ability to strip us of the social values we have constructed, adopted, and normalized, which has powerful effects on us mentally and physically. I relate to this on a deep level, as my childhood in Florida was largely defined by time spent near the ocean. The beach has always been a safe place for me, one where I can relax and find clarity. I was so nervous to leave my home to come to school in Virginia, as there was no water near by, but I have found that the mountains have a very similar effect. While it's certainly different, nature has an incredible way of healing the mind and humbling the spirit. It is so important that we protect these gifts.
ReplyDeleteWell this was quite a charming little article for a last read (love me some Coastal Living!). It reminded me a lot about our conversations earlier in the term about existence value. Even though many of us may never go to see the coral reefs in Australia, it is comforting to know it is there. While going to the beach is definitely more common for your average US citizen than traveling to Australia, there is still the comfort in knowing that even if we are not at the beach right now, there are waves beating down on the sand just as they did when we last left the shore. This also ties into the memories. I don't know this is unique to my family, which has deep roots in Charlotte NC, but but my grandparents, parents, cousins, and myself alike all have pure memories of happiness from summers spent on the Carolina beaches. For me, picturing the beach brings such a warm feeling because it floods my mind with these times. And knowing that beaches will be there for generations to come and that many more people will be able to fill their buckets with shells and their hearts with memories is a wonderful thought.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up near the beach I can relate to many of the benefits including the peace, nostalgia and neuro- changes the occur when we see the ocean. Because I am in environmental ethics right now, these concepts remind of Leopold’s land ethic and argument that an increased knowledge of the functionings of the natural world lends itself to increased consideration of conservation efforts. Similarly, this was also discussed my someone on the blog earlier this semester who noted the increased value of mountains after snow sports became more popular. These concepts show how increased exposure and understanding to the natural world may lead to an increase in the ‘economic value’ of nature and contribute to more conservation practices.
ReplyDeleteI too grew up on the beach enjoying the sand and the water and thereby place an extraordinarily high value on the preservation of the ocean and coastal regions. Many aspects of this article resonated with me, but I particularly responded to the point about positive emotion and self-reflection brought about by time spent on the beach. Some of my most meditative moments in life have been during sunrise surf-sessions with my buddies when few other people are out and the scene is sublime. The relaxation and stress-reducing effects of the beach and ocean are not myths.
ReplyDeleteI think that the increased interest in the area of "neuroconservation" is important and will hopefully lead to future positive environmental changes. If scientists are able to better understand the relationship between the way humans cognitively process their responses to the ocean and the ocean itself, there arises the possibility of future policies aimed at aiding marine and coastal environmental health. If people are made aware of the different unique psychological benefits, parsed out by scientists, then maybe they will be more inclined to acknowledge and support efforts to preserve our oceans and all the life contained within.
This article truly put things into prospective as finals week approaches. Many people find themselves stressing over the "little things," and this article served as a reminder to myself to slow down. The article mentions the positive benefits associated with exercise and cites the example of rock climbers being less stressed during exam week, and although I may not be at the beach I certainly aim to keep this information in mind as exams approach. I had never considered what actually makes us happy about going to the beach, however while I read this article I couldn't help visualize and recall fond memories I have shared with loved ones at the beach. This automatic reaction to talking about the beach further supports this articles main point in that the beach has a truly calming effect on its visitors and and creates a "feeling of nostalgia more than material things." After reading this article I feel rejuvenated to push through the home stretch of this semester because the beach and sunshine are right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that being out in nature, and being on vacation in general provides us with a calmness that you are unable to attain by sitting at home. I also thought it was interesting how they brought up that in order to deeper our understanding of the beach, or something of that nature, it is not necessary to take our emotions out of it because that’s essentially most of the research. The point he brings up about how people find safety in places of low complexity did not necessarily resonate with me given that the ocean is one of the most unknown places and is full of living things that we haven’t even discovered yet. He mentions that the ocean provides calmness and excitement, but personally the ocean scares me with so many unknowns (and sharks). I also could not relate to the concept that sand is calming because it is impressionable; personally, sand stresses me out because it gets everywhere. I can understand his point when he says that the beach “makes everything else come into perspective”. I believe that being on vacation, in nature, anywhere can do that for an individual. Nature has an incredible way of providing an emotional key that is much needed in all of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI found that the most interesting part of this article was learning how the brain processes how "good" something like beach views are in terms of how valuable it is to you just as one would process how "good" a car or a house is. However, while discovering the psychological reasons for why humans love the beach so much was fascinating, I did not necessarily understand the authors claim that knowing these things can help us conserve beaches. Is the goal to make the oceans more blue or to somehow increase the attractive dichotomy of a placid surface above the unknown depths? I'm not sure how knowing the allure of the beach helps us figure out the best way to internalize the costs of conserving or restoring the world's beaches. That being said I really enjoyed reading this article because it gave me a chance to relive the memories of my favorite beach vacations in my mind. The author is certainly correct that the calming influence of a wide, soft, pristine beach with blue water extending to the horizon is unparalleled in nature.
ReplyDeleteThis article really hit home for me. I grew up in a coastal city and was used to going to the beach at least once a week to take a walk, sunbathe, surf, watch the sunset/ sunrise or simply just sit there and listen to the waves crashing. I only truly realized how much I valued theses experiences once I moved to Lexington and no longer had the option to do that. What I miss the most about the beach is the smell of the sea air, the feeling of the sand, and especially the sound of the waves (weird habit but I often play those 10 hours ocean waves crashing Youtube videos when I can't fall asleep). To me, this sound is not only relaxing but I also find comfort in it. My favorite memory from my time in Belize was waking up and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated some of the findings that the author talks about in this article. I personally find this type of environmental neuroscience super fascinating and I think we should support more research in this field. Gaining a better understanding of why people like to go to the beach, forest, etc is the best way to get them to preserve nature. In fact, I would love to learn more about neuroconservation and I wish they offered a class about this at W&L.
I wonder if our affinity for the beach is an evolutionary side effect. The article noted that cortisol levels drop when we are at the beach; I would hazard a guess that the reliable sounds of the waves lapping up against the shore AND lack of major predators along beaches would have been very comforting for a hunter-gatherer society. Humans have historically sought to be as close to water as possible. The earliest civilizations (Mesopotamia, China, Egypt etc.) were all located along great rivers, and surely the sound of water is one that was incredibly comforting for the earliest humans seeking drinking water and food. Many other commenters on here speak about finding comfort in all sorts of places: the plains of Wisconsin, lakes, rivers, the mountains. At the end of the day, all these things bring a great sense of security to the people that interact with him. I really hope that we continue to preserve beaches, parks, lakes, rivers, mountains and all the other things that make us feel safe and at home.
ReplyDeleteThis article prompted me to think about the work we discussed earlier in the term on preferences in Cuba for proximity to beach, cleanliness, etc. Based on the research presented in this article, humans are proven to have positive physiological and neurological responses to beaches and oceans. Therefore, in a similar way that the Cuba article attempted to use photos to illicit revealed preferences, what if economist could use senses such as sound and touch to provoke the same "happy" neurological responses in people to link to their economic value of different environments.
ReplyDelete"Neuroconservation" is not a term that I've heard before this class. In fact, I wasn't entirely sure I understood what it meant the few times it was briefly brought up. However, I really enjoyed this article and it helped me understand the concept a lot better (mainly it gave a solid definition and application to beaches). I really enjoyed reading this article and putting some concrete research to something that I've never really thought of before: enjoyment of the beach. My dad grew up in Hawaii and loves telling stories of surfing and hidden coves and sea animals (while I was raised in a landlocked state- a little cruel, I know). To me, the ocean and beaches have always been things to appreciate. This article put some neuroscience research to that feeling which I thought was very interesting. However, since it did mention the idea of neuroconservation towards the beginning, I was really hoping for some examples on how this research could potentially be translated into policy. I'm hoping we could explore some possible examples in class!
ReplyDeleteI was really taken by Dr. Franssen's idea that nature helps us to put everyday stresses into perspective, and how nature is an "ingredient for a happier state of mind." I was reminded of how hard the school tries to incorporate natural elements into study spaces so that students are less stressed. The special lights in the library and the colors in the CGL all aim to mimic more of the natural environment so that students dont feel trapped. Franssen's section reminded me of how important it is to incorporate the outdoors and physical activity into your life, especially as a college student constantly stressed about school. The idea that spending time outside can put into perspective the importance of an assignment and can give you the energy needed to overcome everyday obstacles is a comforting one.
ReplyDeleteThe confluence of economic and emotional value is a difficult crossroads where nueroconservation currently sits. I don't think anyone could or would argue that the beach and the human attachment to it has some if not significant value, but applying economic principles to that value is extremely difficult. I think Scott Huettel on to something with his nueroeconomic distinction between a peice of pizza and a beach vacation. However, I worry that one of the mechanisms through which people assign value to resources like beaches is only after they have been destroyed or altered. Kitanna's comments in class sparked this thought. If you gauged her father's willingness to pay in order to keep Hawaii's beaches clear of commercialization now and 30 years ago when it was actually a possibility to do so I have a sneaking suspicion his WTP would be higher now that those beaches have been irrevocably commercialized. I think this a kind of a tragedy. Hopefully Huettel will find a way to triangulate the true value of resources such as the beach without the mechanism of destroying them first.
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