title: Structural agricultural land use modeling for spatial agro-environmental policy analysis

authors: Fezzi, Carlo

subjects: agro-environmental policy

abstract: This paper develops a spatially disaggregated, structural econometric model of agricultural land use and production based on the joint multi-output technology representation introduced by Chambers and Just (1989). Starting from a flexible specification of the farm profit function, we derive land use allocation, input application, crop yield, and livestock intensity equations in a joint and theoretically consistent framework. To account for the presence of censored observations in micro-level data, the model is estimated as a system of two-limit Tobit equations via quasi-maximum likelihood. We present an empirical application using fine-scale spatial data covering the entirety of England and Wales and including the main economic, policy, and environmental drivers of land use change in the past forty years. A simulation of the effects of diffuse pollution reduction measures illustrates how our approach can be applied for agro-environmental policy appraisal.

text: Structural agricultural land use modeling for spatial agro-environmental policy analysis This paper develops a spatially disaggregated, structural econometric model of agricultural land use and production based on the joint multi-output technology representation introduced by Chambers and Just (1989). Starting from a flexible specification of the farm profit function, we derive land use allocation, input application, crop yield, and livestock intensity equations in a joint and theoretically consistent framework. To account for the presence of censored observations in micro-level data, the model is estimated as a system of two-limit Tobit equations via quasi-maximum likelihood. We present an empirical application using fine-scale spatial data covering the entirety of England and Wales and including the main economic, policy, and environmental drivers of land use change in the past forty years. A simulation of the effects of diffuse pollution reduction measures illustrates how our approach can be applied for agro-environmental policy appraisal.

year: 2011

title: Exogenous events, economic stimulus and its future trajectory

authors: Merrill, Natalie

abstract: The present worldwide COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that our society is continuously faced with exogenous events. Looking at the past shows policy makers use monetary and fiscal policy to respond to these events; however, the jury is not out for the superior policy or combination of policies to react to exogenous events. The primary research question within this thesis is to determine the most effective and successful economic policy response to exogenous events by using insight from historical natural disasters, terrorist attacks and pandemics. The methodological approach taken within this thesis is a deductivism approach. Specifically, the analysis uses a methodological approach similar to that of an event study methodology. To analyse key macroeconomic variables within a two-year period post the exogenous event studied to analyse how macroeconomic variables responded to the economic response introduced as a result of the exogenous event or lack of, to determine any significant abnormal results. Furthermore, synthetic controls are used to study precautionary savings levels post the exogenous events. Overall, the primary conclusion of this thesis asserted that due to the indirect nature of monetary policy and its diminishing benefits it shall be treated as a defibrillator and not the rehab. Whereas fiscal policy should be the predominant tool used to recover from long-term exogenous shocks, with the key caveat being stimulus is targeted and governments are responsible for taking on debt when the economic benefits stack up.

text: Exogenous events, economic stimulus and its future trajectory The present worldwide COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that our society is continuously faced with exogenous events. Looking at the past shows policy makers use monetary and fiscal policy to respond to these events; however, the jury is not out for the superior policy or combination of policies to react to exogenous events. The primary research question within this thesis is to determine the most effective and successful economic policy response to exogenous events by using insight from historical natural disasters, terrorist attacks and pandemics. The methodological approach taken within this thesis is a deductivism approach. Specifically, the analysis uses a methodological approach similar to that of an event study methodology. To analyse key macroeconomic variables within a two-year period post the exogenous event studied to analyse how macroeconomic variables responded to the economic response introduced as a result of the exogenous event or lack of, to determine any significant abnormal results. Furthermore, synthetic controls are used to study precautionary savings levels post the exogenous events. Overall, the primary conclusion of this thesis asserted that due to the indirect nature of monetary policy and its diminishing benefits it shall be treated as a defibrillator and not the rehab. Whereas fiscal policy should be the predominant tool used to recover from long-term exogenous shocks, with the key caveat being stimulus is targeted and governments are responsible for taking on debt when the economic benefits stack up.

year: 2021

title: Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a Wharekura.

authors: McDonald, Marama

abstract: This article explores the process of co-designing a mātauranga-Māori-informed mindfulness intervention with rangatahi in a wharekura and examines the effects on wellbeing. Mahitahi co-design methodology underpinned the design, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and quantitative psychological tests measured improvements in wellbeing and dispositional mindfulness. Findings showed positive indications for a decrease in levels of psychological distress, improvements in Māori quality of life domains, and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness. The effective mātaurangaMāori-informed wellbeing components of the intervention were he āhuru mōwai, mahi a ngā tīpuna, ngā kaitiaki, te taiao, whanaungatanga, and hohou te rongo. Future application of the intervention in mainstream schools and communities is needed to assess the efficacy of the intervention for rangatahi in other environments, the sustainability of mindfulness practice for rangatahi, and the long-term effects on wellbeing.

text: Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a Wharekura. This article explores the process of co-designing a mātauranga-Māori-informed mindfulness intervention with rangatahi in a wharekura and examines the effects on wellbeing. Mahitahi co-design methodology underpinned the design, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and quantitative psychological tests measured improvements in wellbeing and dispositional mindfulness. Findings showed positive indications for a decrease in levels of psychological distress, improvements in Māori quality of life domains, and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness. The effective mātaurangaMāori-informed wellbeing components of the intervention were he āhuru mōwai, mahi a ngā tīpuna, ngā kaitiaki, te taiao, whanaungatanga, and hohou te rongo. Future application of the intervention in mainstream schools and communities is needed to assess the efficacy of the intervention for rangatahi in other environments, the sustainability of mindfulness practice for rangatahi, and the long-term effects on wellbeing.

year: 2021