Heinz Welsch – författare

Drawing on more modern expressions of economic analysis, this book explores the interplay between wellbeing, nature and moral values in economics.

In standard accounts of economics, these three themes are typically treated in isolation from each other, or else overlooked entirely. This book argues that due to this blinkered approach, standard economic analysis is poorly equipped to deal with global contemporary challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainability, and the risk of pandemic diseases. The book reviews the economic literature to show that the last few decades has seen the re-insertion into economic analysis of human wellbeing, natural resources and moral values: three themes present in early economic thought that are highly relevant to the challenges ahead. The book argues for the greater integration of these three themes as the natural environment is crucial to human wellbeing, and moral values are essential for environmentally benign behaviors. The book also focuses on how specific moral values, identified by contemporary moral psychology, actually shape economic behavior rather than how abstract ethical principles they should shape economic behavior.

The book will be of significant interest to readers in the economics and social sciences, particularly behavioral economics and social psychology.

Drawing on more modern expressions of economic analysis, this book explores the interplay between wellbeing, nature and moral values in economics.

In standard accounts of economics, these three themes are typically treated in isolation from each other, or else overlooked entirely. This book argues that due to this blinkered approach, standard economic analysis is poorly equipped to deal with global contemporary challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainability, and the risk of pandemic diseases. The book reviews the economic literature to show that the last few decades has seen the re-insertion into economic analysis of human wellbeing, natural resources and moral values: three themes present in early economic thought that are highly relevant to the challenges ahead. The book argues for the greater integration of these three themes as the natural environment is crucial to human wellbeing, and moral values are essential for environmentally benign behaviors. The book also focuses on how specific moral values, identified by contemporary moral psychology, actually shape economic behavior rather than how abstract ethical principles they should shape economic behavior.

The book will be of significant interest to readers in the economics and social sciences, particularly behavioral economics and social psychology.

Addressing key environmental issues that impact happiness, the book examines: climate change and extreme weather events, air pollution, noise, odour, access to green space, and the importance of green lifestyles. This wide range of environmental concerns is analysed through the lens of differing cultural backgrounds, exploring the importance of different forms of human interaction with the environment globally, as well as its effects.

Environmental economics and sociology scholars will find the key case studies discussed particularly useful in assessing different cultural, political and regional approaches to the topic. It will also be an interesting read for policy-makers looking to better understand how the environment affects human happiness and wellbeing.

Contributors include: M. Ahmadiani, M. Berlemann, F. Brereton, L. Bruni, X. Chen, C.A. Coral-Guerrero, S. Ferreira, H. Folmer, B.S. Frey, D. Fujiwara, F. García-Quero, I. Gramatki, J. Guardiola, P. Howley, B.A. Jones, K. Kagohashi, S. Kant, K. Keohane, C. Krekel, K. Laffan, R. Lawton, A. Levinson, G. MacKerron, D. Maddison, S. Managi, M. Moro, S. Mourato, A. Oswald, J. Regner, K. Rehdanz, H. Ren, T. Ruckelshauß, J. Tang, T. Tsurumi, J. Tutt, R. Veenhoven, I. Vertinsky, H. Welsch, X. Zhang, X. Zhang, B. Zheng

Die Energieversorgung ist weltweit im Umbruch. Die aktuelle Zufriedenheitsforschung hat neue Wege eröffnet, den Einfluss alternativer Versorgungsstrukturen auf die Lebensqualität zu untersuchen. Relevante Zusammenhänge umfassen einerseits Auswirkungen auf Umwelt und Klima, Sicherheitsrisiken und die von Energieanlagen ausgehenden Belästigungen und andererseits die Verfügbarkeit und Erschwinglichkeit von Energie. Heinz Welsch stellt den Einfluss dieser Faktoren auf das subjektive Wohlergehen anhand der neuesten Forschungsliteratur dar und zieht die Zufriedenheitsforschung für eine vergleichende Bewertung alternativer Versorgungstechnologien heran. 

Dr. Heinz Welsch ist Professor im Ruhestand für Volkswirtschaftslehre an der Universität Oldenburg. Er lehrte Umwelt-, Ressourcen- und Energieökonomik sowie Verhaltensökonomik und veröffentlichte zahlreiche Forschungsarbeiten auf diesen Gebieten.