Environmental Economics

Another Env-Econ bear safey PSA

From GoBlueRidge.net (Grandfather closes trails ...):

Grandfather Mountain announced today several trails would be closed until further notice because of increased bear activity.

According to Grandfather’s website, the Grandfather Extension Trail, the Black rock Trail, and the Grandfather Trail from the Swinging Bridge to MacRae Peak are closed.

Mother bears and cubs have been reportedly seen in the area, so the trails are closed for safety reasons.

State Park Rangers are also asking hikers not to hike on the Profile Trail and the Daniel Boone Scout Trail.

My fav comment (sans ?):

Do they really think the bears will stay off the trails.

Note: previous bear safety tips.

Subject: soggy dinner promotion on env-econ

From the inbox:

Just noticed that env econ now features a blog ad from Repower America claiming that a cap on carbon will "create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans". I guess it's all about the Benjamins with you two ;)

My reply:

More like "Hamiltons," but, yes, we're in this primarily for the jack. It really is interesting, we get lots of blogads that trumpet green jobs.

Quote of the Day

"If there's one thing I learned as an English major, it's the value of a great book whose pages you can touch and feel and tear out just to spite the next reader."

In response to the question:

The recently introduced Amazon Kindle DX, a larger-screened version of the popular electronic reader, is expected to change the way college textbooks are bought and sold. What do you think?

Source: The Onion

New category: Puerile Humor

Inspired by The Olive Ridley Crawl:

Excellent post, and a rare one on your site without any snark, sarcasm or puerile humour.

We've added a new topical category for our posts: Puerile Humor (in addition to our regular humor category).

Cap'n Trade

Photo Credit: Matt Winden--OSU AED Economics 2nd year PhD Student.  I'm pretty sure he has something better to do with his time.

Some humor for finals week

Postcards from yo mamma (subject: words of encouragement):

Backstory: After I got a D on my economics exam.

Honey, econ is for boring and ugly people. You shouldn’t be in that class, you’re too pretty and creative.  I’m sick of these hard classes. Next semester sign up for gym classes.

Hat tip: WW

Deuce

From Peter King's MMQB:

One other note from the road:

Changing planes at DFW on Sunday, I used the men's room near one of the American gates. I walked into one of the toilet stalls with the automatic flushers.

WHOOOOOSH. I closed the door to the stall and sat down.

Three more times I heard the same WHOOOOOSH as I sat there and minded my own business.

Of course, no flush when I get up and leave the stall. Gotta love technology.

Did he really write that?

I'm speechless

From The Onion (FEMA unveils ...):

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday unveiled its new $48.2 million Phone Tree Response System, a program designed to alert every American in the event of a large-scale disaster. "The safety of our great nation is the responsibility of all 300 million of its citizens, so make sure you memorize the names and phone numbers of the three people you are supposed to call," said acting FEMA administrator Nancy Ward, who assured reporters that, in the event of a chemical or biological attack, President Obama would be notified first so that he could inform Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Meredith Soto of Winslow, AZ. "Remember: If they don't pick up, leave a message telling them there's a national emergency, and then call the next name listed in the 176,935-page, 253-volume directory until someone answers." According to FEMA officials, regular tests of the phone tree will be conducted on a semiweekly basis to identify any numbers that are no longer in service.

How do they expect this to work? Wow, another big and stupid government program.

Happy Earth Day

From the inbox:

With Earth Day [today], we're launching GREENER-SCHNITZELS - www.greenerschnitzels.com, our new series of webisodes that blends sketch comedy and documentary filmmaking to deliver funny truths about our warming planet.  With energetic irreverence, we're trying to provide some informative comic relief amidst the more serious Green programming

Given that, we figured that we'd share with you this first short video that launches the series, as it might be something that you'd get a kick out of watching and sharing with your readers.

"Man & Cow" Greener-Schnitzels - Episode #1 - Since the domestication of animals, man and cow have always enjoyed a special relationship.  However, in this new era of increased environmental awareness, this special relationship has gotten a bit strained.

You can also link and/or embed the video from our YouTube posting here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOTflknQkzA

I watched it and, yes, it is truly funny in an Earth Day sort of way. Not Rob Riggle funny but well worth your time.

Best comment of the day

A pat on the back for Tim's Env-Econ 101 post:

Excellent post, and a rare one on your site without any snark, sarcasm or puerile humour. ...

I looked up puerile and it means "childish, silly." This makes me wonder ... Tim, why didn't you add any puerile humour to your post?