Frank Ackerman
Encyclopedia
Frank Ackerman is an economist known for his work in environmental economics
, particularly in the areas of climate change
and development. A prominent critic of conventional economic approaches to climate and their use of cost-benefit analysis
, he has written extensively for academic and popular presses and directed numerous studies for government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
Ackerman’s most recent book, Can We Afford the Future? Economics for a Warming World (Zed Books, 2009 ISBN 978-1848130388), reframes the economics of climate change in terms of insuring the planet against worst-case scenarios, addressing the needs of future generations, and accepting the challenge of global equity that is raised by the climate crisis. His other recent projects include The Economics of 350: The Benefits and Costs of Climate Stabilization (E3 Network, 2009, with Elizabeth A. Stanton et al.), and Poisoned for Pennies: The Economics of Toxics and Precaution (Island Press, 2008).
Ackerman is a senior economist and director of the Climate Economics Group at the Stockholm Environment Institute US Center
, an independent research affiliate of Tufts University
in Medford, Mass. He is former director of research and public policy at Tufts' Global Development and Environment Institute
.
Ackerman received his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University in 1975. He is a co-founder and steering committee member of the Economics for Equity and the Environment Network (E3)
, and a member scholar of the Center for Progressive Reform. He was a co-founder and editor of Dollars & Sense
magazine.
Environmental economics
Environmental economics is a subfield of economics concerned with environmental issues. Quoting from the National Bureau of Economic Research Environmental Economics program:...
, particularly in the areas of climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
and development. A prominent critic of conventional economic approaches to climate and their use of cost-benefit analysis
Cost-benefit analysis
Cost–benefit analysis , sometimes called benefit–cost analysis , is a systematic process for calculating and comparing benefits and costs of a project for two purposes: to determine if it is a sound investment , to see how it compares with alternate projects...
, he has written extensively for academic and popular presses and directed numerous studies for government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
Ackerman’s most recent book, Can We Afford the Future? Economics for a Warming World (Zed Books, 2009 ISBN 978-1848130388), reframes the economics of climate change in terms of insuring the planet against worst-case scenarios, addressing the needs of future generations, and accepting the challenge of global equity that is raised by the climate crisis. His other recent projects include The Economics of 350: The Benefits and Costs of Climate Stabilization (E3 Network, 2009, with Elizabeth A. Stanton et al.), and Poisoned for Pennies: The Economics of Toxics and Precaution (Island Press, 2008).
Ackerman is a senior economist and director of the Climate Economics Group at the Stockholm Environment Institute US Center
Stockholm Environment Institute US Center
The Stockholm Environment Institute is an international research organization focusing on the issue of sustainable development. SEI has its headquarters in Stockholm with a network structure of permanent and associated staff worldwide and with centres the US, York , Oxford , Tallinn , and Asia...
, an independent research affiliate of Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
in Medford, Mass. He is former director of research and public policy at Tufts' Global Development and Environment Institute
Global Development and Environment Institute
The Global Development And Environment Institute is a research center at Tufts University founded in 1993. GDAE works to promote a better understanding of how societies can pursue their economic and community goals in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner...
.
Ackerman received his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University in 1975. He is a co-founder and steering committee member of the Economics for Equity and the Environment Network (E3)
Economics for Equity and the Environment Network (E3)
Economics for Equity and the Environment Network is a network of economists doing applied research on environmental issues with a social equity focus...
, and a member scholar of the Center for Progressive Reform. He was a co-founder and editor of Dollars & Sense
Dollars & Sense
Dollars & Sense is a magazine dedicated to providing left-wing perspectives on economics.Published six times a year since 1974, it is edited by a collective of economists, journalists, and activists committed to the ideals of social justice and economic democracy.It was initially sponsored by the...
magazine.