The actions of policymakers, businesses, and individuals in response to the coronavirus pandemic demonstrate a different pattern of action than we see in response to environmental issues like climate change. What are the similarities and differences between the responses to the pandemic and responses to environmental concerns? How far should the government go in regulating the economy in the name of halting climate change? On a spectrum of "leave the solution entirely to the private sector" on one end to "halt all damaging economic activity even if it results in economic depression" on the other, where do students place themselves? How do they justify the trade-off, either in terms of potential environmental or economic catastrophe? Are there any lessons to be learned by governmental action in managing the pandemic that can be applied to environmental economics?
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