Unit 1: Negative externalities from diesel use

Pretty bad, according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18420990#

but maybe there's hope for the future, according to Aljazeera (in this tutor2u post)

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-miro-greener-fuels-for-improved-public-health

Unit 2: Should central banks have an inflation target?

A nice pros/cons summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5397/inflation/inflation-targetting-pros-and-cons/

Unit 2: Cutting interest rates in China to stimulate economic growth

A great clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18363065#

a) Using the AD formula, explain the slowdown in economic growth in China
b) Explain how decreasing interest rates should stimulate economic growth
c) Why might additional growth not occur?

Unit 2: Australia cuts interest rates

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18327769#

a) Explain why this action has been taken and comment on the likely success of this policy

Unit 1: Legislation to reduce the negative externalities from soda consumption

Great article from the Guardian about the plan of NY mayor Michael Bloomberg to ban the selling of supersize drinks

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/31/new-york-mayor-soda-obesity

a) What negative externalities could arise from the free market sale of supersize drinks?
b) What alternative policies could the Mayor have used instead of an outright ban?
c) Comment on the likely success of the ban in reducing the market failure

Unit 1: The opportunity cost of logging and mining in Tasmania

Nice clip from Aljazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK8C9_l4QDg

a) How can the concept of opportunity cost be used to explain the choices to be made?
b) Using a PPC, show and explain the opportunity cost of increasing mining in Tasmania

Unit 1: The negative externalities associated with drink driving

...as shown in this sad interview on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18289878#

Unit 2: GDP and GDP per capita visualised

For visual learners, a great post from Planet Money

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/05/30/153950742/the-worlds-richest-countries-and-biggest-economies-in-2-graphics?ft=1&f=93559255