Navigating Climate Economics: Perspectives for a Sustainable Future
Faculty/Staff: Dr. Panagiotis (Peter) Tsigaris
Platform: Pressbooks
Site link (if applicable): https://climateeconomics.pressbooks.tru.ca
Services provided: Domain creation, platform support, cover design
Description: Publishing student research is more than just an academic exercise–it’s an empowering opportunity for students to share their original ideas, contribute to a global body of knowledge, and engage with their studies in meaningful ways. Navigating Climate Economics: Perspectives for a Sustainable Future highlights the dedication, creativity, and analytical skills of emerging scholars. Examining the intersection of climate change and economic policy, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic challenges and opportunities arising from the global climate crisis. The book applies advanced economic methods to address pressing issues such as carbon pricing, sustainability, and policy frameworks for a sustainable future, offering valuable insights for both students and professionals engaged in climate action. Developed within the Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management program at Thompson Rivers University and guided by Peter Tsigaris, this collaborative work incorporates perspectives from students, faculty, and experts, with a foreword by Dr. Andrew Leach, prominent Canadian environmental economist.
Other Books by Peter Tsigaris and students:
Impact Summary
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Impact Story
Written by Aiko Uehara
Introduction of Author and the Book
“It felt rewarding to take part in a collaborative research project that was going to be published and could also serve other students.” ―Clara Boisclair
Dr. Tsigaris, a professor with over 31 years of experience in economics and environmental economics at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), spearheaded a unique collaborative project that bridges the gap between academic inquiry and real-world climate action. Working alongside a talented group of undergraduate students from his Economics of Climate Change course (ECON 3410), he guided an in-depth exploration of the complex intersections of climate change and economic policy.
Together, Dr. Tsigaris and his students co-authored a comprehensive book that offers critical insights into the global climate crisis through an economic lens. Students, working individually or in pairs, contributed a 600-word commentary and opinion piece on a specific chapter, providing a diverse range of perspectives on climate change topics, such as carbon pricing, sustainability, and policy frameworks for a sustainable future. More specifically, one of the co-authors, Clara Boisclair, mentioned that she could learn and research the economic value of natural resources. Through her work, she looked at the challenges and factors threatening these resources, offering important insights into their preservation and economic value. Dr. Tsigaris also wrote a section of the book and included a forward by Andrew Leach, a prominent Canadian environmental economist known for his expertise in energy and environmental policy, particularly related to climate change. By combining his extensive knowledge with his students’ in-depth research, this co-authored book is a high-quality open educational resource for economics students.
Contributing authors include Meghan Allan, Clara Boisclair, Conor Brown, Trayton Brown, Teryn Cameron, Emma Chretien, Alexandre Croteau, Olivia Davey, Natasha Escobedo, Alec Floen, Chantal Gammie, Alicia Guay, Adria Huser, Patrick Izett, Brook Jameus, Zachary Johnson, Clinton Kaboni, Ella Lindsay, Lubo Magdolen, Naledi Molai, Ainsley Mutrie, Moses Oyelakin, Stephanie Piggin, Dipika Popatlal, Keerat Sidhu, Molly Sladden, Troy Ssebanakitta, Andres Street, Ashley Thomson, Alexander Urquhart, Lauren Viesner, Alison Waterhouse, and Kyra Williamson.
Collaboration with TRU Open Press
The success of the book was greatly enhanced by the technical support provided by the TRU Open Press. The team assisted with tasks such as table creation, image insertion, and copyediting. Dr. Tsigaris complimented the TRU Open Press team for their professionalism and expertise, noting how responsive and reliable they were in addressing questions and concerns throughout the process. This collaboration ensured the final product was polished and accessible, adding to the credibility and reach of the book.
Advantages and Benefits for Students
The experience of working on this book provided students with a unique opportunity to contribute to a published academic project. By collaborating directly with Dr. Tsigaris on research, students gained valuable skills that will be beneficial in their future careers. Beyond academic achievement, students can proudly share this accomplishment with future employers, enhancing their resumes and demonstrating their ability to tackle complex global issues.
Additionally, students improved their research and writing abilities, benefitting from Dr. Tsigaris’ consistent feedback throughout the process. This hands-on experience in producing high-quality academic work has empowered students with essential skills for future research and professional success.
Credibility and Recognition
This book has gained attention as an open education resource (OER) within the environmental economics field as well as in TRU. Notably, Andrew Leach, a leading environmental economist in Canada, wrote the foreword, adding to its credibility and importance in academics.
Future Scope
The project does not end with the publication of this book. Dr. Tsigaris is currently serving as the chief editor of Future Earth, an open-access student journal dedicated to publishing research on sustainability and climate change. This journal provides an exciting opportunity for students involved in the project to submit their work and engage with other scholars worldwide, fostering further learning and collaboration.
In addition, Dr. Tsigaris is planning for a second edition of the book, which will expand on the themes of climate change and economic policy and incorporate new insights and research from future students. With another collaboration with the TRU Open Press in the works, Dr. Tsigaris is excited to go further with his research and collaborate again with his new students.
