Pigovian taxes Archives

The Unexpected Cost of a Pistachio Nut

A small city in California is dealing with a big dilemma. Ridgecrest is the home of thriving pistachio farmers. The city also depends on a nearby U.S. Navy base for most of its tax revenue. They both need a lot…

Economic Thinkers

Why It’s Tough To Eat Less (Real) Chocolate

When the fight against obesity comes down to a battle against chocolate consumption, winning will be tough.

Regulatory Policy

An Update: Law and Odor on North Carolina’s Hog Farms

The massive manure pools created by North Carolina’s hog farms have many problems that have not been solved.

Regulatory Policy

When a Carbon Tax Proposal Is Like Goldilocks

In his new book, climate activist Bjorn Lomborg presents a controversial carbon tax proposal that could remind us of Goldilocks.

weekly economic news roundup and noise pollution

Economic Thinkers

Where a Traffic Light Could Cut Noise Pollution

To diminish the city’s noise pollution, Mumbai is experimenting with traffic lights that last longer when drivers honk too much.

Economic Thinkers

The Best Way To Stop a Speeder

Typically involving a fine that could even relate to your affluence, a speeding ticket is usually about money but not necessarily in Estonia.

Weekly Economic News Roundup and sugary drink taxes

Regulatory Policy

Finding the Best Soda Tax

Involving us individually and as a community, sugary drink taxes create nudges that result in a long list of costs and benefits.

Economic Thinkers

The Unintended Consequences of Plastic Bag Bans

Although plastic bag bans do help the environment, they also create unintended consequences that might make them less desirable.

Weekly Economic News Roundup and driving behavior

Economic Thinkers

Sweden’s Carbon Tax

Looking at Sweden’s steadily rising carbon tax, we can ask what it is, what it does, and why the people accept so high a rate.

Weekly Economic News Roundup and emissions

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The Problem With Emissions Outsourcing

Usually associated with jobs, now the outsourcing that relates to carbon emissions embedded in globally traded goods will be limited by California.