Date of Award
1-1-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Specialization
Environmental Economics
Department
Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
First Advisor
Hirostugu Uchida
Abstract
Climate change is one of the principal challenges humanity and policymakers face. Climate-related impacts are known to have adverse effects on fish populations (Mills et al., 2013), sustainable urban development (Wamsler et al., 2013; Coutts et al., 2008), and the abundancy and availability of agriculture (Briceño, 2018; Malhi et al., 2021a; Malhi et al., 2021b).
Rising ocean temperatures brought about by climate change (Mills et al., 2013; Klein et al., 2017) are altering fish population abundancy and distribution. As a result, fishing industries may be landing a different composition and volume of fish species at unusual times of the year. While the commercial fishing industry has the potential to adapt to this evolving landscape, much hinges on whether consumers will accept and demand these unfamiliar, newly abundant species.
Manuscript one of this dissertation assesses how the New England seafood consumer will respond to a fluctuating seafood availability by conducting an online nonmarket valuation survey. The survey revealed consumers’ (N = 503) awareness of these species is mixed; species like triggerfish and redrum are less known compared to blue crab and fluke, but once purchased, they are purchased at a higher frequency. The choice experiment revealed that, compared to Atlantic cod, consumers are willing to pay less for the unfamiliar fish species. Further heterogenous preferences were discovered for consumers that 1) had previously purchased more unfamiliar species, 2) purchased their seafood at alternative locations (farmers markets, direct from dock, or community supported fisheries), and 3) that recreationally fished. Our results suggest there will be a challenge in marketing these species, although with proper marketing strategies and coordination among the industry, these challenges may be reduced.
Urban areas must adapt to climate change by integrating green infrastructure. Green rooftops (GRs) offer multiple environmental benefits, including improved thermal regulation (Banting et al., 2005; Bianchini and Hewage 2012; Raji, Tenpierik, and Dobbelsteen 2015; Wong et al., 2003), enhanced air quality (Banting et al., 2005; Bianchini and Hewage 2012; Li and Yeung 2014; Yang, Yu, and Gong. 2008; Currie and Bass 2008), carbon sequestration (Banting et al., 2005; Bianchini and Hewage 2012; Getter et al., 2009), stormwater management (Banting et al., 2005; Lee et al., 2015; Li and Yeung 2014; Mentens et al., 2006; Stovin and Virginia 2010), and mitigation of the urban heat island effect. However, widespread adoption depends on public support.
Manuscript two conducts the first nationwide discrete choice experiment to assess U.S. public preferences and economic valuation of GR technology. The study employs contingent valuation methods, including a payment card and a choice experiment, to investigate these topics, which have received limited attention in the existing literature. Our findings indicate that 45% of the public are aware of GRs, and the most desired features on an extensive GR, ranked by importance, are flowers, grass, trees, and walking paths. The majority (79%) of the public supports a federally proposed legislation currently under review (the Public School Green Rooftop Program), and has a mean willingness to pay of approximately $176 per household as a one-time payment. Additionally, the results show that individuals value having solar energy technology incorporated on a green rooftop compared to no solar and experience a loss of value when access to a green rooftop is limited compared to having open access.
GRs have the potential to enhance urban food security and energy independence by providing space for both urban agriculture and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Urban agriculture, which uses significantly less water than conventional farming (Briceño, 2018), can play a crucial role in supplementing vegetable production in cities (Martellozzo et al., 2014). Bio-solar rooftops-integrating vegetation with solar infrastructure-leverage the synergistic relationship between plants and solar panels, as vegetation cools the panels, improving their efficiency, while the panels provide partial shade that helps reduce water evaporation. This co-production of green space and renewable energy maximizes limited rooftop real estate, addressing a critical challenge in solar energy expansion: the scarcity of suitable siting locations in densely populated areas.
The success of GR initiatives hinges on aligning design and implementation with community preferences. While some residents may prioritize aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits, others may value utility, such as food production or energy generation. Understanding these preferences is essential for fostering public acceptance and ensuring long-term adoption (Karamanis et al., 2024).
Manuscript Three focuses on Rhode Island - a state with a coastal geography, mid-density urban centers, and growing sustainability initiatives - as a case study to explore how communities navigate trade-offs among different GR applications. Through a survey-based discrete choice experiment, we assess residents’ awareness, perceptions, and willingness to support GRs designed to integrate solar energy production with urban agriculture.
Results indicate an overwhelming preference for green rooftops that prioritize farming spaces, especially those designated for community or local food production. While solar installations are also favored, farming attributes emerge as the primary driver of public interest. Using advanced modelling, the study identifies two distinct groups with varying preferences. Class 1, representing 20% of respondents, are farm-focused advocates showing a strong preference for rooftops with farming and a high willingness to pay despite some cost sensitivity. The other group (Class 2) supports both the space allocation of GR for farming and solar installations. Interestingly, trust in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to guide rooftop-related policies surpasses trust in federal or state entities, highlighting the need for localized approaches. This study underscores the importance of incorporating agriculture and community features into GR designs while addressing affordability concerns. Policymakers in RI must capitalize on the potential for green rooftops to enhance urban resilience and meet public expectations by aligning their strategies with global sustainability goals and local priorities.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Meyer, Natalie, "SHIFTING SEAS AND GREENER CITIES: PUBLIC PREFERENCES FOR CLIMATE-DRIVEN CHANGES IN FOOD SYSTEMS AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE" (2025). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 4462.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/4462