FEATURED AUTHOR

Chennat Gopalakrishnan

Professor Emeritus
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Chennat Gopalakrishnan has published 7 books and approximately 112 journal articles and technical papers on current and emerging issues in natural resources economics and policy. He has directed a number of research projects dealing with water institutions, water and disasters, and water resources management and policy. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including Fellow of the American Water Resources Association and Fellow of the International Water Resources Association.

Subjects: Environment and Agriculture

Biography

Chennat Gopalakrishnan (Gopal) spent 41 years with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa prior to his retirement in 2010. He remains an emeritus professor with the university.

Gopal is best known for his research on water economics and policy, particularly for advancing our understanding of water management institutions. He is one of the leading figures in the institutional analysis of the water sector. In recognition of Gopal's record of scholarship in the water resources field and his sustained contributions to the water resources profession, he was named a Fellow of the International Water Resources Association in 2008 and a Fellow of the American Water Resources Association in 2003.

Gopal is a prolific scholar, having produced seven books, nearly 70 refereed publications, 68 conference papers, and numerous other reports and reviews. While the bulk of his writings focused on water institutions, this is by no means his only area of contribution. Within the water resources area, he has authored and co-authored many empirical studies addressing a diverse set of topics including sustainable water resource management, water conservation, water markets and pricing, political externalities, water conflicts and their resolution, legal regimes governing water ownership and allocation, and, most recently, water and disasters. Earlier in his career, Gopal made notable contributions to the field of energy economics and marine economics. Moreover, he has made major efforts to synthesize the ideas and perspectives of other scholars on key topics in the natural resources economics and policy field, resulting in several books.

Gopal is a leader in facilitating discourse among scholars. His active and sustained involvement in the USDA multi-state research committee on water policy (currently W-2190, "Water Policy and Management Challenges in the West") is a case in point. During this period, he continually contributed through various formal leadership positions and also informally.

For his research, teaching, and mentoring contributions, Gopal was honored by his College in 2009 with the Excellence in Research Award, and in 2003 with the Ka Pouhana (Mentor) Award. His courses included resource and environmental policy, the economics of water resources and energy, and research methodology. He has also chaired and served as a member of numerous PhD and Master's committees.

In his retirement, Gopal continues to be active in his field. He launched a new journal, the Journal of Natural Resources Policy Research (Routledge) in 2009. He is, currently, at work on two books, one on "institutional entropy" and a second one on the theory and empirics of water disaster management policies.

Education

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Natural Resource Economics, Water Economics and Policy, Water Institutions, Water and Disasters, the Politics of Water, Water Conflicts and their Resolution, Natural Resources Policy, Energy Intensity and Factor Substitution, Institutional Entropy.

Personal Interests

Contemporary American, Indian, and British fiction, memoirs and biographies, Hollywood and Bollywood movies, PBS programs, poetry, music, theater, travel

Books

Featured Title

Towards Disaster Risk Reduction - Levy - 1st Edition book cover

Water & Disasters - Gopalakrishnan - 1st Edition book cover

Articles

Designing Water Disaster Management Policies: Theory and Empirics

Published: Nov 24, 2014 by Journal of Natural Resources Policy Research
Authors: Chennat Gopalakrishnan
Subjects: Built Environment, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Geography , Sociology & Social Policy, Environment and Agriculture

The human and economic impacts of water disasters have increased dramatically in recent years. This is evidenced by the fact that they contributed to nearly 90% of all natural disasters, 96% of the people affected (2.4) billion and 76% of the economic damages (approximately USD 1 trillion) caused by natural disasters globally. Despite the conspicuous presence of water disasters, discourse on their policy aspects continues to remain a neglected area.

Water and disasters: a review and analysis of policy aspects

Published: Feb 04, 2013 by International Journal of Water Resources Development
Authors: Chennat Gopalakrishnan
Subjects: Built Environment, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Geography , Sociology & Social Policy, Area Studies, Environment and Agriculture

During 2000–2010, water disasters accounted for almost 90% of all natural disasters, 96% of the people affected (2.4 billion) and 76% of the economic damages (approximately USD1 trillion) caused by natural disasters globally. Five broad groups of water policies – risk management, vulnerability assessment, capacity building and resilience, disaster risk reduction-development linkage and institutional design – were examined.

Designing new institutions for implementing integrated disaster risk management:

Published: Dec 01, 2007 by Disasters
Authors: Chennat Gopalakrishnan
Subjects: Built Environment, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Geography , Sociology & Social Policy, Area Studies

This paper presents the case for a thorough overhaul of the institutional component of integrated disaster risk management. Our analysis and findings identify eight key elements for the design of dynamic new disaster management institutions. Six specific approaches are suggested for incorporating the identified key elements in building new institutions that would have significant potential for enhancing the effective implementation of integrated disaster risk management.

Transnational Corporations and Ocean Technology Transfer

Published: Jul 01, 1989 by American Journal of Economics and Sociology
Authors: Chennat Gopalakrishnan
Subjects: Built Environment, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Geography , Sociology & Social Policy, Area Studies

Coastal state jurisdiction at 200-nautical miles is today a fact of international law. This has led to a unique situation in the ownership and control of ocean resources; thus 15 coastal states have received among them approximately 41 percent of the world's 200 mile economic zone area. At least half of these are less-developed coastal states (LDCS) which lack the key inputs, capital, technology, and managerial skill, essential to tap their ocean resources.

Energy-Nonenergy Input Substitution in Western U.S. Agriculture: Some Findings

Published: Jan 01, 1987 by Energy Journal
Authors: Chennat Gopalakrishnan
Subjects: Built Environment, Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Geography , Sociology & Social Policy, Area Studies, Environment and Agriculture

The crucial role of energy as an input in the production process has engaged the serious attention of energy planners and researchers in recent years. This was especially true after the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 and the natural gas shortages in the winter of 1976-1977. The prospect of similar energy supply disruptions and price escalations in the future has reinforced the need for adopting measures to reduce energy consumption.