Presented on April 9, 2025, by

Michael J. Roberts, Professor
Economics, Sea Grant, UHERO
University of Hawai’i Mānoa

ABSTRACT:

In this talk, I’ll give an informal overview of research projects that integrate high-resolution weather data into economic analysis. Topics will span several domains, including the effects of climate change on agriculture, empirical models of food supply and demand, and the role of weather in renewable energy integration—highlighting transmission, demand response, and natural gas infrastructure planning. I’ll also touch on how climate change may shift natural gas demand. Looking ahead, I’ll discuss emerging opportunities at the intersection of economics, artificial intelligence, and forecasting—especially for weather, crop yields, and renewable energy—and how improved forecasting could enhance the performance of food and energy markets, as well as the design of weather index insurance.