Located in western Massachusetts, UMass Amherst is the flagship campus of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' five-campus University of Massachusetts system. UMass Amherst is a nationally recognized teaching and research institution with a current enrollment of about 28,500 students.

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A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and make it less profitable to pollute – a new analysis shows why

Jared Starr is a sustainability scientist whose research analyzes how economic inequality – particularly at the very top of the income distribution – shapes the distribution of environmental benefits and harms through the global economy.

His 2023 research which found that the wealthiest Americans — those whose income places them in the top 10% of earners — are responsible for 40% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions, was widely reported in national and international media, including in the Washington Post,, CNN, the Guardian, MSNBC and NPR.

Starr is also a skilled video presenter through his YouTube channel that creatively explains his research.

Economic Inequality

Environmental Conservation

Income Distribution

Global Economy

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Elon Musk was once an environmental hero: is he still a rare green billionaire?

This study calculated the carbon emissions of getting rich

America’s richest 10% are responsible for 40% of its planet-heating pollution, new report finds

Study reveals America's wealthiest 10% responsible for 40% of US greenhouse gas emissions

Wealthier Americans Are Responsible For More Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Study Suggests

Sustainability Scientist in the College of Natural Sciences

Some cities and towns are better recyclers than others. Learn why in this fast paced video presented by researcher Jared Starr. For more info on our peer-reviewed study please visit: www.JaredStarr.com

Jared Starr: Recycling: 3 years of research in 4 minutes

Read the full study here at PLOS Climate: (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000190)

It takes a lot of carbon pollution to generate income and wealth for American families. Just how much? The answer may surprise you. Join Sustainability Scientist Dr. Jared Starr as he shares findings from a NEW study published in PLOS Climate linking carbon pollution to American household incomes. Spoiler alert -  investment from rich households are a huge source of emissions. An investment-based carbon tax may be a useful new tool to decarbonize our economy - divestment out of self-interest.

Jared Starr: How much carbon pollution does it takes to create wealth for the richest Americans...a lot!

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