I don't post much on Economics here but the Ely Lecture at the American Economics Association meetings appears to be an interesting note for Environmental Economics.  The ASSA (Allied Social Science Association) meetings occur the weekend after the new year.  During the weekend, approximately 9,000 Economists (and graduate students looking for jobs), descend upon a very large city to discuss economics, enjoy the local food, drink and life, and meet colleagues.  The meetings are in New Orleans during the weekend but you'll have to talk with another economist to find out about that...

While still in Shanghai, I do occasionally peruse the Economics Blogs - especially the Economic Roundtable, which basically downloads a quick post from numerous economics blogs.  Many of the blogs are of interest, so the site is preferable as the quick read of the first sentence and title help to know what is available. 

From the Wall Street Journal's blog (subscription req'd?) to Dani Rodrick, to James Hamilton and Mark Thoma, I find many interesting and insightful.  I must say that they often will include discussions which really heighten understanding of our field of Economics and Finance.  The number of economists blogging is mind bloggling (sorry!) so you can look at others as you wish...

Sooo in that light, I found the Ely Lecture of the AEA meetings was a topic of the WSJ blog and David Wessel:

Climate Report Warnings ‘Underestimated’ Risks

The topic is of interest to me because I live in China.  To paraphrase: Over the next 25 years, China will produce more air pollution than the U.S. and Europe over the past century.  My thoughts at the beginning of moving here were to live in Shanghai for two years to start.  Now I will just wait and see what happens.  I love the job, the people and SILC is an awesome group of people to work for, however the pollution is tough on me.  Furthermore, I despair at the level of pollution and the rate of increase. 

The series: Choking on Growth, by the New York Times also details many of the pollution issues here in China.  The latest being an article on the Beijing Olympics.  HOW the leaders will clear the air in time for the athletes is a very real issue.  I believe the air will be clean for the Olympics.  However, I live here and as I watch the sun rise while writing this piece, the beet red color reminds me of the air pollution.  One of my colleagues went bike riding yesterday, about 10k, and decried the grittiness on her teeth and the cleaning of her face afterwards.  I have written that I will not rollerblade now and find exercising hard but necessary to ski during break.

What a question: Can we deny the Chinese their desires to develop as we did, when the world cannot afford the amount of pollution they will generate? 

The question is especially relevant as we must realize that much of the pollution they generate is to produce the goods that we Western and developed country inhabitants desire, demand and pay for every single day! 

Again, the articles in the NY Times; the ninth (of ten so far) about the German steel industry's transplantation to China brought home the issue clearly (in a polluted way). 

WHY?  Because I live just down the road from the largest steel company in the world:  Baosteel in Bao Shan, Shanghai, China.

The Chinese do understand the problems and issues, yet the movement they are making to a market economy does mean less government influence ... !

On a lighter note ... I sometimes wish the police would influence traffic flow a little bit!! A free market does not necessarily mean free flow of traffic!!!  The traffic does flow freely, on the streets, the sidewalks, through the ... laughing!!!