Earth Economics from Coursera

After this course you will be an Earth Economist that can provide evidence-based advise on the best global policy. As an Earth Economist you will better understand the behavior and advice of economists, have become a better economist yourself and know where to find Earth's data and how to analyze these world observations. Our planet is too important: we need you to get engaged!

Earth Economics offers a completely new angle to policy analysis by its focus on the truly global level and its empirical orientation on very recent data. Sustainability (environmental and related to the UN's SDGs), equality and heterodox (that is: non mainstream) views on the economy are important for an Earth Economist. Taking stock of emerging planet data and analyzing policies during and following the Global Crisis, Earth Economics provides both a topical introduction into basic economic tools and concepts as well as insights in highly relevant problems and recent developments in planet production, growth and governance. An important issue is the provision of global public goods. Earth Economics highlights the importance of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization.

What's inside

Syllabus

Earth economics: a new and necessary approach

Earth Economics offers a completely new angle to policy analyses by its focus on the truly global level and its empirical orientation on very recent data. Each week offers "Reflections on the economic impact of the Corona virus" (COVID-19) allowing you to apply what you have learned. But we have to look beyond the pandamic. Sustainability (environmental and related to the UN's SDGs), equality and hetrodox (non mainstream) views on the economy are important for an Earth Economist. Taking stock of emerging planet data and analyzing policies during and following the Global Crisis, Earth economics provides both a topical introduction into basic macroeconomic tools and concepts and insights in highly relevant problems and recent developments in planet production, growth and governance. You will also better understand the behavior and advice of economists, become a better economist and know where to find Earth's data and how to analyse these world observations. Our planet is too important: we need you to get engaged!

Accounting for fluctuations in the Earth economy

This set of three lectures provides you with a good introduction to the most often used data sources for the Earth Economy and their strengths and weaknesses. We study which activities generate value added and discuss both the merits and the drawbacks of the concept of Gross Planet Product (GPP). We will get a good idea about changes in the economic condition of our planet, both from business cycles and from changes in the world's unemployment rate. You will discover that economists are too optimistic about the reliability of their data but also that economist in the past have been too pessimistic about the development of the world economy.

Investment and Saving

We start with a discussion of the equilibrium concept and relate (in)stability to policy relevant questions such as (over)population, global warming and hyperinflation. We encounter comparative statics and scenario analysis. We discuss investment, saving and consumption and relate these concepts to the development of the Earth economy. At the end of these three lectures you will be able to build a model of the Earth economy and use that model to analyze the Great Recession of 2008/0. That is pretty cool.

Government and the Earth Economy

In this Module we take a closer look at government. We study government spending and taxation and will discover any instances where government expenditures and receipts move in the same direction. An important issue is the development of public debt that has reached unprecedented levels for our planet. Finally we study money and its functions in the Earth Economy.

Money and Earth Economic Equilibrium

In this module we look at the money market and the role and impact of monetary policy. We start with the liquidity trap where interest rates are so low that monetary policy becomes impotent. Next we relate the money market and the product market in the so-called ISLM model. We use this model to shed light on economic debates about the role of government.

Long Run Challenges

Earth Economics is especially relevant when we take a look at the long run because it enables us to analyse sustainability of economic processes and to understand how productivity is key for economic development. We will discover why Earth Economics is important for monitoring and understanding Sustainable Development Goals from a truly global perspective

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores policy analysis with a global and data-driven perspective, aligning with current economic trends

Covers relevant topics such as investment, saving, government finance, monetary policy, and long-run challenges, providing a comprehensive understanding of economic principles

Involves economic modeling and analysis, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

Offers insights into the role of international organizations, highlighting their significance in global economic governance

Requires prerequisite knowledge in economics, limiting accessibility for beginners

Reviews summary

Excellent and engaging earth science

Learners say this engaging course is a great introduction to Earth Economics, which is a new and developing field. Students call the course interesting and informative, with engaging assignments that open their eyes to Earth's resources and how we use them. This course is well received with knowledgable instructors and a clear syllabus to keep learners engaged.

Course materials are organized with a clear syllabus.

"It's a very informative course, very useful and we can follow the syllabus."

Knowledgeable and engaging instructors.

"Thanks to Mr. Peter, the best thing is that Mr. Peter uses calculation only where it is useful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Earth Economics with these activities:

Review Basic Economic Concepts

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Refresh your understanding of basic economic concepts to strengthen your foundation for Earth Economics.

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Revisit core economic principles such as supply and demand, market equilibrium, and production possibilities.
Practice solving basic economic problems using graphs and equations.

Read 'Earth Economics' by Peter A.G. van Bergeijk

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of Earth Economics by reading the foundational text by Peter A.G. van Bergeijk.

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Obtain a copy of 'Earth Economics' and read the assigned chapters.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Participate in class discussions on the book's content.

Explore Data on the Earth Economy

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Gain hands-on experience working with data on the Earth economy to enhance your analytical skills.

Browse courses on Economic Data Analysis

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Identify relevant data sources for the Earth economy.
Use visualization tools to explore and analyze data trends.
Apply statistical techniques to identify patterns and draw insights from the data.

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Solve Economic Problems from Real-World Scenarios

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Enhance your problem-solving abilities by practicing economic problems rooted in real-world situations.

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Identify online or textbook resources with practice problems.
Select problems that cover a range of economic concepts.
Work through the problems independently and check your solutions.

Discuss Economic Policies and their Impact

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives on economic policies and their consequences.

Browse courses on Economic Policies

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Form study groups and schedule regular meetings.
Select specific economic policies for analysis.
Research and present findings on the impact of these policies.

Develop a Model of the Earth Economy

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Create a simplified model of the Earth economy to gain a deeper understanding of its dynamics.

Browse courses on Economic Modeling

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Define the key variables and relationships in the Earth economy.
Translate these variables and relationships into mathematical equations.
Use simulation software to test and refine the model.

Participate in an Earth Economics Case Competition

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Test your knowledge and skills in a competitive setting by participating in an Earth Economics case competition.

Browse courses on Competition

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Identify and register for an Earth Economics case competition.
Form a team or work individually on the case study.
Develop a comprehensive solution and present it to a panel of judges.

Contribute to the Earth Economics Database

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Contribute to the advancement of Earth Economics by actively participating in open-source projects.

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Identify open-source projects related to Earth Economics.
Review the project documentation and identify potential areas for contribution.
Make code contributions or provide feedback on existing code.

Career center

Learners who complete Earth Economics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

International Development Economist

International Development Economists work in developing countries to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. As an Earth Economist, you will learn how to apply economic principles to analyze development issues and design effective policies.

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Environmental Economist

Environmental Economists apply economic principles to analyze environmental issues. They may work for government agencies or consult for businesses on how to minimize their environmental impact. As an Earth Economist, you will learn how to use economic tools to solve environmental problems.

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Climate Policy Analyst

A Climate Policy Analyst is responsible for developing policies and solutions to mitigate climate change. As an Earth Economist, you can better understand the economic impacts of climate change and the global policy implications of different policy options.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve the sustainability of organizations. As an Earth Economist, you will learn how to analyze the environmental and economic impacts of different sustainability initiatives.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. As an Earth Economist, you will learn how to use data analysis techniques to solve problems and improve decision-making.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty. As an Earth Economist, you may be able to use your skills in data analysis and modeling to work as an Actuary.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies. As an Earth Economist, you can use your knowledge of economics and policy to help develop and implement effective policies.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. As an Earth Economist, you have a strong background in statistics, which will be valuable in this role.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide investment advice to individuals and organizations and take into account macroeconomic factors. As an Earth Economist, you can gain a thorough understanding of the global economy and how it affects financial markets.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts identify and assess risks to organizations. As an Earth Economist, you will have developed a strong understanding of risk and uncertainty, which will be advantageous in this role.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to improve the efficiency of organizations. As an Earth Economist, you have a background in economic modelling and data analysis, which may be useful in this role.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers collect and analyze data about consumer behavior and market trends. As an Earth Economist, you will learn how to use research methods to understand the global marketplace.

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Teacher

As an Earth Economist, you will have a background in economics and policy. This knowledge will be helpful if you wish to teach at a secondary or post-secondary level.

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Journalist

As an Earth Economist, you will have a strong understanding of economics and global issues. This knowledge will be helpful if you wish to become a journalist specializing in economics or global affairs.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers provide investment advice to individuals and organizations. As an Earth Economist, you have a strong understanding of the global economy and how it affects financial markets.

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