Yohe, Gary, September 16, 2022

In this interview, Gary Yohe narrates how he ended up working in the field of economics at Wesleyan. He describes his indecision between majors early on in college; his eventual decision to major in math; his realization that he needed to move on from math to economics; and how these many interests have helped him develop an interdisciplinary vocabulary. He discusses his unorthodox path in learning economics; expresses gratitude for his professors (future Nobel Laureates) who made him go back and learn introductory level material though he had already mastered more complex content. He expresses that he has been happy at Wesleyan and from very early out of school was attracted to living in Connecticut. He explains his scholarly journey with writing about climate change through a cost-benefit analysis methodology; the risks he confronted as an early researcher in global climate change; how he has seen Wesleyan students act in climate organizing and policy; and witnessing divestment student activism in his time chairing the faculty. He notes that in retirement, he has been writing more and more opinion pieces about the climate crisis and will be publishing a book in 2023 as well as a collection of essays with other scholars writing about the climate. He repeats throughout this interview just how special the students at Wesleyan are, and how grateful he is for experiences as a professor throughout the years.