ABSTRACT
In 2002, Peter Kennedy presented “Ten Commandments” that applied researchers should follow when testing theoretical hypotheses and presenting empirical results in economics. Commandment 4 [125, p. 582] is “Thou shalt inspect the data.” In this chapter we examine some trends in various environmental and economic indicators. The graphs we present are meant to complement, not substitute, for other modes of data analysis and theory and are only a first step in learning about various environmental economic theories and methods of analysis. We start by examining some major environmental policies that helped enable researchers to begin to gather data and monitor environmental outcomes regarding air, water, and land pollution.
