Q&A: Economist explores how to balance environmental protection with economic growth
As a kid growing up in North Carolina, Prakash Mishra was interested in planets. "My parents got me a telescope when I turned 6 or 7, and that was my personality for probably 10 years," he says, noting that he thought he would eventually study physics or astrophysics.
Prakash Mishra, now an assistant professor of economics at Caltech, grew up in North Carolina with a fascination for planets. His interest in astrophysics waned after he discovered the potential of algae to clean chimneys, sparking his curiosity about climate issues. He initially pursued biochemical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania but switched to economics, earning his undergraduate degree in 2019 and a doctorate in applied economics six years later.
Currently, Mishra is exploring the balance between environmental protection and economic growth through various projects. In a recent study, he examined how protected land in the European Union had no significant impact on vegetation cover and nighttime lights, suggesting poorly designed incentives for land protection. Mishra emphasizes that stopping land protection should not be the goal, but rather refining the incentives for better outcomes.
He is also interested in carbon offset markets, which provide incentives for carbon reduction and address the disproportionate responsibility of emissions.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
