This textbook gets an F.The financial collapse of 2008 has sent the authors and publishers of economics textbooks scrambling to update their books with lessons about the Great Recession — you know, how to avoid future planetary economic meltdowns, revive a steamrolled economy, and be responsible economic leaders.
So in the face of another kind of meltdown — climate change in this case — one would think they’d be falling head over heels to ensure the economic leaders of tomorrow have the most up-to-date information to help avoid the possibility of an economy-wrecking catastrophe.
… Right?
Not always. I took a look at 16 of the most popular college economics textbooks and found mixed results. When it comes to teaching climate science and policy, some economics books made the grade, and some didn’t.
Well-known economists like Paul Krugman and Greg Mankiw might be on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but they both nailed it in their books: the science is up-to-date and their explanations of the problem — and solutions — merit an A. In contrast, the book coauthored by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bern... Read more
