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Nutrient pollution: An economic perspective

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Abstract

Although the phenomenon of nutrient pollution can be studied using models from the environmental sciences, understanding both the human causes and the human effects of nutrient pollution requires a study of economics. The economic dimensions of the problem of nutrient over-enrichment and the role that economics can and should play in the evaluation and design of policies to reduce nutrient pollution relate, to understanding the causes of nutrient pollution, setting targets for reduction or improvement, and designing policies to meet those targets. We summarize the incentives created by alternative policy approaches, including both voluntary approaches (based on education, subsidies, and implicit threats of more stringent policies) and mandatory approaches (such as regulations, taxes, and marketable permits).

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  1. Department of Economics, University of Connecticut, 341 Mansfield Road, U-63, 06269-1063, Storrs, Connecticut

    Kathleen Segerson

  2. Oceans Studies Board, The National Academies, 20418, Washington, D.C.

    Dan Walker

  3. The Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 02543, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

    Dan Walker

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  1. Kathleen Segerson
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Correspondence to Kathleen Segerson.

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Segerson, K., Walker, D. Nutrient pollution: An economic perspective. Estuaries 25, 797–808 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02804906

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