Michael A. Toman
Senior Fellow; Director, Earth Observation for Policy Initiative
Michael A. Toman (Mike) is a Senior Fellow at Resources for the Future, where he also was a staff member from 1981-2003. Prior to rejoining RFF, Mike served as a lead economist and research team manager in the World Bank Development Research Group. He also held senior analytical and management positions at RAND Corporation and the Inter-American Development Bank. Mike served as a Senior Staff Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 1994-1996. His current research interests include climate change adaptation, international climate policy, energy and economic growth, and sustainable development. Mike has been an adjunct lecturer at the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, and the School of the Environment, University of California at Santa Barbara. Mike has a B.A. from Indiana University, a M.Sc. in applied mathematics from Brown University, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics from the University of Rochester.
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Issue Brief — Sep 26, 2023
How USDA Conservation Programs Mitigate Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This issue brief, part of a series on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions policy, provides an overview of conservation programs in Title II of the Farm Bill.
Issue Brief — Sep 26, 2023
Measurement Gaps in Mitigating US Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This issue brief, part of a series on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions policy, reviews how emissions estimates are calculated and how they might be improved.
Explainer — Sep 8, 2023
Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions 101
This explainer provides an overview of agriculture's contributions to US greenhouse gas emissions, detailing major emissions sources and technology options for emissions mitigation.
Issue Brief — Dec 14, 2022
Policies to Increase Mitigation of Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This issue brief considers three policy approaches to voluntary reduction of ag-GHGs, all of which reward farmers and ranchers who shift practices toward lower-GHG production.
Issue Brief — Sep 26, 2023
How USDA Conservation Programs Mitigate Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This issue brief, part of a series on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions policy, provides an overview of conservation programs in Title II of the Farm Bill.
Issue Brief — Sep 26, 2023
Measurement Gaps in Mitigating US Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This issue brief, part of a series on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions policy, reviews how emissions estimates are calculated and how they might be improved.
Explainer — Sep 8, 2023
Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions 101
This explainer provides an overview of agriculture's contributions to US greenhouse gas emissions, detailing major emissions sources and technology options for emissions mitigation.
Issue Brief — Dec 14, 2022
Policies to Increase Mitigation of Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This issue brief considers three policy approaches to voluntary reduction of ag-GHGs, all of which reward farmers and ranchers who shift practices toward lower-GHG production.
Resources Magazine — Oct 22, 2020
Space: The Next Great Market Opportunity
Michael Toman, lead climate change economist at the World Bank’s Development Research Group, discusses on the Resources Radio podcast the commercialization and privatization of outer space.
Common Resources — Aug 30, 2023
Critical Minerals: Insights from a Recent Workshop
Insights for how the United States can approach secure and affordable access to the critical minerals that are needed for electric vehicle production, from a recent workshop held at Resources for the Future.
Common Resources — Mar 13, 2023
Remembering Milton Russell
Milton Russell, a Resources for the Future senior fellow and research director from 1972 to 1983, died last month. His colleagues describe him as “a giant in our field and in RFF’s legacy,” and his insights continue to inform modern energy policy.
Common Resources — Dec 14, 2022
Remembering Herman Daly
RFF Senior Fellow Michael A. Toman reflects on the life and legacy of Herman E. Daly, an influential economist who passed away this fall.
Media Highlight — Mar 23, 2023
E&E News: "EVs, Mineral Deals Loom Large as Biden Heads to Canada"
RFF Senior Fellow Mike Toman is quoted several times in this article that highlights the United States' relationship with Canada in sourcing critical minerals.
Media Highlight — Jan 30, 2023
CQ Roll Call: "With EV Batteries in Demand, Some in GOP Say 'No' to China"
Senior Fellow Mike Toman is quoted extensively in a widely syndicated article about growing calls for domestic battery production.
Press Release — Dec 14, 2022
To Reduce Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, A New Study Recommends Strengthening Farmer Incentives and Emissions Measurement
To Reduce Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, A New Study Recommends Strengthening Farmer Incentives and Emissions Measurement