Striking a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation

Many nations currently provide substantial subsidies to their industrial fishing fleets, despite the well-documented negative effects of overfishing. The challenge lies in convincing these governments to cease such subsidies if the costs outweigh the benefits. Unfortunately, each country has an individual incentive to maintain these subsidies, thus perpetuating the cycle.

This dilemma mirrors the age-old concept known as the “tragedy of the commons,” a topic extensively analyzed by economists for generations. While the problem is well understood in theory, there remains a glaring lack of concrete evidence to propose effective solutions, especially on a global scale. In pursuit of filling this gap, PhD student Aaron Berman is engaged in a series of projects that aim to address these issues.

“Our objective is to empirically grasp the problem at hand,” Berman explains.

Berman and his team are amalgamating various datasets—ranging from economic figures to ecological model forecasts—to assess the impact of these subsidies on fish populations. Their ultimate goal is to explore whether countries could derive more significant benefits from sustainability initiatives geared towards revitalizing fisheries. This could involve implementing new trade agreements or other international policy frameworks.

In his fourth year as a doctoral candidate in MIT’s Department of Economics, Berman is concurrently spearheading several other research endeavors, all interconnected by the overarching question of balancing economic growth with environmental preservation and resource management. While his analysis of fishing subsidies transcends global boundaries, his other projects delve into localized issues such as air pollution from road construction in Pakistan, groundwater irrigation in Texas, the scallop fishing sector in New England, and carbon reduction strategies in Turkey. Regardless of the project scope, Berman and his team are leveraging diverse scientific disciplines, from seafloor imagery sourced from NOAA to pollution dispersion models.

“One aspect that excites me about environmental economics research is the interdisciplinary nature of these projects,” Berman notes.

Berman’s projects are ambitious in their scale, prompting him to envision continued work post-PhD completion. Juggling multiple projects simultaneously requires significant effort, but Berman remains motivated by the potential policy implications and societal benefits of his research.

“MIT has instilled in me the significance of connecting research to real-world issues before,” Berman reflects. “My aim as a researcher is to produce findings that can ultimately offer practical value to stakeholders.”

Exploring New Horizons

Born to parents who are both public school educators, Berman grew up in Maryland and pursued his undergraduate studies at Yale University, majoring in global affairs. Subsequently, he pursued a master’s degree in public health with a focus on global health at the same institution.

A pivotal juncture in Berman’s academic journey occurred during an undergraduate course in development economics. Reflecting on this experience, he shares, “That class made me realize that the same critical questions I was passionate about from a public health perspective were being rigorously examined by economists. Economics has a profound impact on addressing societal challenges.”

Following exposure to the works of MIT economists and Nobel laureates Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, Berman decided to immerse himself further in the realm of economics. Encouragement from his professor in that course motivated him to pursue a predoctoral research position as a stepping stone to an economics graduate program.

Following this advice, Berman joined the Harvard Kennedy School’s Evidence for Policy Design, a research initiative focused on enhancing economic development through optimized policy formulation. His tenure at this institution included a five-month stint in Jakarta, Indonesia, collaborating with professors Rema Hanna and Ben Olken from Harvard and MIT, respectively, on projects centered on social protection and poverty alleviation.

Engaging with various stakeholders and government partners during this period, Berman honed his ability to articulate economics research tailored to diverse audiences. This experience underscored the synergy between academic research and policy imperatives.

Impelled by this exposure, Berman decided to apply to MIT’s economics PhD program, leveraging the skills and confidence gained during his time at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Rekindling the Passion for Teaching

As an economist, Berman is merging his passion for global affairs with an exploration of the intricate interplay between economic progress and environmental conservation. Fluent in five languages besides English—Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Indonesian—Berman’s foray into natural resource governance was sparked by his collaborative effort on a research paper focusing on the economic factors driving tropical deforestation, alongside Olken and professors from the London School of Economics.

This review article delved into critical questions surrounding tropical deforestation drivers, hurdles to implementing deforestation prevention policies, and encapsulates the broader themes of his ongoing dissertation work.

“The complexities of natural resource governance, whether in developed or developing nations, underscore the relevance and intricacies of this field,” Berman reflects. “It laid the groundwork for many of my current pursuits.”

When not immersed in research, Berman actively participates in MIT’s club tennis team and serves as a teaching assistant, a role he finds particularly fulfilling. Drawing inspiration from the professor who guided his academic trajectory at Yale, Berman aspires to mentor and guide others along their scholarly paths.

“His encouragement propelled me towards this transition and taking that leap of faith means a lot to me. I hope to emulate that support for others,” Berman expresses.

Moreover, his teaching endeavors resonate with his familial ties—his father is a science educator at a middle school, and his mother works as a paraeducator aiding students with special needs. Despite their initially limited understanding of a PhD in economics, they have been unwavering in their support of Berman’s academic journey, eagerly engaging with his research, albeit occasionally expecting investment advice from an economist.

“They’ve always been enthusiastic about my research endeavors and provided constant support,” Berman affirms.

“The doctoral program at MIT has been an enriching experience thus far,” Berman reflects. “The most rewarding aspect of economic research is the tangible impact it can have on the broader world.”