Ted Schroeder

Wiktor (Vic) Adamowicz

Amy W. Ando

Award winning theses

Economics of land‐based carbon mitigation

Abstract Agricultural land holds tremendous potential to contribute to net zero greenhouse gas emission goals by providing low carbon renewable energy to displace fossil fuels and by serving as a sink for sequestering carbon in the soil with climate‐smart practices. This potential is, however, far from being realized. This paper examines the economic incentives and barriers to implementing land‐based carbon mitigation strategies and discusses the specific features of land‐based carbon mitigation practices on carbon emissions that need to be considered in designing policy incentives to induce adoption. Although a carbon price‐based policy is socially efficient, the more commonly observed policies to promote land‐based carbon mitigation include practice‐based conservation programs, technology mandates, and sector‐specific standards. The paper discusses the rationale for these alternative policy approaches and concludes with a discussion of emerging opportunities for designing policy and market‐based approaches for promoting land‐based carbon‐mitigation and future directions for economics research.

Issue Information

Trauma‐Informed Practice in Welfare‐to‐Work and Employment Services: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT There is increasing recognition within welfare services, including employment services, that many participants may have histories of trauma. Research suggests that experiences of trauma not only impact individuals' psychosocial health but also vocational elements such as job performance, employability, career progression, and financial security. Yet, there is a notable lack of research detailing effective strategies for the delivery of trauma‐informed employment services nor is there a well‐established, empirically‐tested model designed to assist such disadvantaged jobseekers in achieving long‐term employment. This scoping review examines what is known regarding trauma‐informed models within employment service delivery and social security systems, with a view to directing future research, practice, and policy recommendations. A total of 596 articles were identified through a comprehensive search across social science databases; 14 articles met the criteria and were included in this review. The study found that out of the articles examined, half ( n  = 7) were primarily theoretical in design. There was a significant lack of empirical evidence concerning the outcomes of trauma‐informed employment services, including participants' experiences.

Fisher Perceptions and Management Challenges in KwaZulu‐Natal's Inland Water Bodies

ABSTRACT Inland fisheries in South Africa are crucial for the livelihoods of local communities, but they face pressures that threaten the sustainability of small‐scale and recreational fishers livelihoods, the latter making the dominant economic contribution. However, distinctions between small‐scale and recreational fishing rights are unclear. We aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding economically significant fish species, their contribution to fishers, and how they are spatial distributed across the uMngeni and uThukela Catchment Management Areas in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Additionally, we addressed the fisher perceptions and use of targetted fish species. A questionnaire‐based interview was conducted with fishers between 2021 and 2023 across rivers and impoundments. Our findings highlight several key challenges for inland fisheries management. We found that there are difficulties in categorising fishers, particularly in distinguishing small‐scale from recreational fishers, an ambiguity reflected in fishers’ self‐identifications and practices, with ‘subsistence’ as a self‐identifier. This complexity was further highlighted by the ecological and economic significance of key species, with the invasive Cyprinus carpio having the greatest market value and being the most economically important species. Fishers largely viewed these invasive species through an economic lens, perceiving them as valuable resources and adapting their practices to target their harvest. Regarding fishing behaviours, subsistence fishers were a significant group, reporting weekly or monthly fish consumption and exhibiting a clear preference for river fishing over other waterbody types. Finally, gender significantly influenced participation, with males exhibiting higher fishing frequencies. We conclude that the definitions of inland fisheries in South Africa do not align with the realities on the ground, and the fuzzy boundary between defined small‐scale, recreational fisheries and undefined subsistence fishers will likely negatively influence policy implementation. In addition, it highlighted the need for integrated management of South African inland fisheries and economics to sustain inland fisheries that support livelihoods and fish conservation.

When is political advocacy effective? Understanding the goals and actors of political advocacy

Abstract Political advocacy is increasingly common. Companies routinely voice positions on political issues, consumers mobilize around issues they care about, and campaigns spend billions of dollars each election cycle. In this review, we define the construct of political advocacy, distinguish it from related constructs, and review the fast‐growing interdisciplinary literature on the topic. We organize our review around a central question: when is political advocacy effective? We posit that the answer depends on two critical factors: the goal of political advocacy and the actor behind it. Drawing on decades of research across marketing, psychology, political science, management, and economics, we identify four goals that frequently underlie political advocacy: capturing attention, changing attitudes, inspiring action, and cultivating affiliation. For each goal, we review relevant findings and organize them by actor type (political campaign, company, and consumer). We conclude by discussing open questions and promising future directions for research on political advocacy.

Evolutionary characteristics, influencing factors of livestock and poultry meat production in China and its future trends

Abstract An accurate grasp of the current situation and the development trend of livestock and poultry meat production in China is helpful to better ensure the adequate and stable supply of the meat market. In this paper, the trend and characteristics of China's livestock and poultry meat production over the past 30 years are analyzed from four aspects: production, structure, layout, and operation scale. The main factors affecting the evolution of China's livestock and poultry meat production from both internal and external aspects of the industry are explored. Finally, the development trend of the livestock and poultry industry in China is forecast based on the social and economic development trends and industry policy.