- Volume 11, Number 1 (2023)
HOT AND HUMID ECONOMIES: UNDERSTANDING THE TROPICAL CLIMATE PARADOX
Grace Wambui Maina
Historically, economists have overlooked the influence of geographical factors on economic development, yet early scholars like Montesquieu and Huntington recognized the potential correlation between climate and prosperity. This study delves into the specific aspects of climate, particularly temperature and rainfall, to explore their impact on productivity and per capita income variation among nations. Drawing from prior research in economics and ecology, we aim to identify the key climate attributes that underpin this connection. Pioneering works in this field, such as Kamarck (1973) and the economic historian Landes (1998), laid the foundation for investigating the interplay between geography, climate, and economics....
HARMONY IN TRANSITION: ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE OF ECONOMIC CHANGE IN CENTRAL ASIA
Xiu Wei
The transition from centrally planned economies to market-based systems in Central Asian countries during the 1990s had profound environmental implications. In 2021, these nations, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, marked the 30th anniversary of their independence from the Soviet Union. This transition brought about significant political, social, and economic changes but also resulted in environmental challenges. This study investigates the environmental consequences of Central Asia's shift from a command-based economy to a market-oriented one. Despite a notable decrease in carbon emissions since 1990, the region still contributes approximately 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The main drivers...