Discussion Papers
.
Content
- The COVIDStrategyCalculator (CSC) to assess testing- and quarantine strategies
developed by the SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics at
Robert Koch Institute Berlin, Germany
- A Research Paper on Valuing Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change: A Framework with Application to Elephants and Whales
The COVIDStrategyCalculator (CSC)
to assess testing- and quarantine strategies
developed by the SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics at Robert Koch Institute Berlin, Germany
The CSC enables public policy makers to assess different quarantine and testing strategies for their ability to reduce in transmission.
It answers a key question: Having been in close contact with an infectious individual three days ago, how would a test at day eight of a ten day quarantine reduce the risk?
It enables decision makers to tailor calculations specifically to their questions and perform an assessment 'on the fly', based on current evidence on infection dynamics.
On Valuing Nature-Based
Solutions to Climate Change:
A Framework with Application to Elephants and Whales
Abstract:
We develop a framework for natural resource valuation that directly addresses the fundamental collective action problem in environmental protection. Our framework uses the lessons of behavioral economics to create values that individual decision makers find credible and relatable, in addition to stimulating excitement or concern that is essential to prompting action.
We then apply this framework to value forest elephants in Africa and great whales that
are found off the coasts of Brazil and Chile. The values we estimate for individual members of
these species are significant: $1.75 million per forest elephant and an average of $2 million per
whale. We discuss how our valuations lead to new designs for environmental preservation and
restoration policies.