This is a special feature that I am hoping to run every term with my University of Alberta Economics (ECON 366: Energy Economics) students. I’ve modeled their last assignment off Jason Kirby’s Economists’ Charts Week special issues in Maclean’s and the Globe and Mail. Students have submitted a chart that is particularly important to them and, where they felt comfortable doing so, have provided LinkedIn information and a little bit about themselves too. Importantly, this was an optional assignment and some students chose not to do it preferring to focus on other courses at this busy time of year.

If you’re looking to hire an economics student, make sure to reach out to some of the student on here, to me, or to the University of Alberta Faculty of Arts careers office! If you like their charts, connect with the authors on LinkedIn and tell them so!

Albertan Crude Oil Production Comparison between 2023 and 2024

Anubhav Parbhakar

Comparing crude oil production between 2023 and 2024 for different types of crude oil, using Canada’s Energy Future 2021: Energy Supply and Demand Projections to 2050Crude Oil Production, is crucial for understanding Canada’s energy sector, as a chart visualizing production levels aids in identifying trends and opportunities for investors, particularly in light of changing government policies, economic conditions, and environmental concerns. Additionally, future iterations of this chart will monitor changes in production levels, prices, and demand for each type of crude oil, enabling investors to stay ahead of the curve in Canada’s dynamic energy sector.

I am a 3rd Computer Science at The University of Alberta, in the Computing Science Department, interested in general economic happenings around the world, as well technological advances, specifically advancements in machine learning.

Canadian Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector

Imran Bakridi

As Canada heads towards net-zero emissions by 2050 it would be helpful to know where the emissions are coming from. Most policy discussion about a net-zero future focusses on the energy sector. However, the agricultural sector is also a large contributor of greenhouse gases, yet there doesn’t seem to be a huge push towards greener agricultural processes. With the current efforts of emissions reductions, we have seen a clear decrease over time within the energy sector, and as we come closer to the deadline of 2050, will these reductions be enough? Or will there also be a need to address the issues with agricultural processes in order to meet the net-zero mark? This will be the chart that I will be watching over the coming years as emissions reductions increase through to 2050.

Data source: National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

Hi! I’m Imran, a third-year economics major at the University of Alberta, and am very excited to head into my last year as an undergraduate. So far in my university career, the most interesting topics of economics have surrounded energy and environment. I’m hoping post-graduation that I will be able to work somewhere that will deal with either or both. Hopefully I’ll be able to return to university in a few years and complete my masters as well. A few things about myself, I am an avid gamer, love the outdoors, and am a new dog dad to a 70 pound bernedoodle which has posed quite the challenge! He may be huge, but he is super goofy and lovable. Hope you enjoyed my chart!

Energy Generation Worldwide: A Breakdown

Isaac Cromb

The graphs displayed below have been created to display the differences in electricity generation by source based on individual regions of the world. These graphs are important when considering the change in preference of electricity generation sources over the past 30 years. Such graphs create a unique electricity generation narrative in each respective region, further these graphs show which regions of the world are acting more aggressively on climate change in comparison to others through such changes in generation from, for example, coal generated electricity and renewables like wind and solar generation. Further, many may not realize the vast differences in generation preferences by region, making these graphs essential for understanding world electricity generation.