Robert N. Stavins, PhD - Alternative Energy

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Robert N. Stavins, PhD Biography
Title:	Director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program
Position:	Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Can Alternative Energy Effectively Replace Fossil Fuels?"
Reasoning:	"The world is facing a potential catastrophe from greenhouse-gas emissions. But nations don't have to wreck their economies to avert the crisis... The move to greener power doesn't have to be completed immediately, and it doesn't have to be painful. The right transition plan will increase consumers' bills gradually and modestly, and allow companies to make gradual, well-timed moves... Efficiency improvements alone, like the ones that propelled us forward in the past, won't get us where we need to go by 2050. But this plan doesn't rely solely on boosting efficiency. It brings together a host of other changes, such as moving toward greener power sources. What's more, making gradual changes means we don't have to scrap still-productive power plants, but rather begin to move new investment in the right direction." "Yes: The Transition Can Be Gradual - and Affordable," Wall Street Journal, Sep. 21, 2009
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:	Experts Individuals with PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to alternative energy or fossil fuel issues. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to alternative energy or fossil fuel issues.
Involvement and Affiliations:	Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research, 2007-present Member, Board of Directors, Resources for the Future, 2003-present Director, Harvard Environmental Economics Program, 2000-present Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1998-present Former Member, Board of Academic Advisors, American Enterprise Institute-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies Chariman, Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Group, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1998-present Member, Subcommittee on Energy, Clean Air, and Climate Change, Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, US Environmental Protection Agency, 1997-present Chairman, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Scientific Advisory Board, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2005-2007 Chair, Environmental Economics Advisory Committee, Science Advisory Board, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1997-2002 Professor of Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1997-1998 Assoicate Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1992-1997 Member, Advisory Panel on Emissions Trading, Sierra Club, 1994-1995. Assistant Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1988-1992 Member, Working Group on Human Interactions with Global Change, National Research Council, 1989-1990 Staff Economist, Environmental Defense Fund, 1982-1983
Education:	PhD, Economics, Harvard University, 1988 MS, Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, BA, Philosophy, Northwestern University
Contact Info:	Phone: 617-495-1820 Email: robert_stavins@harvard.edu Website: Faculty Profile
Other:	Peace Corps Volunteer, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Sierra Leone, West Africa, 1969-1973
Quoted in:	1. Should the US Implement a Carbon Cap and Trade System?

Robert N. Stavins, PhD Biography