NPR’s Planet Money newsletter recently highlighted five compelling new economics papers, showcasing innovative research that spans historical energy markets, political spending, housing crises, and more. Published on July 8, 2025, this roundup, dubbed “Paperchella” (though still seeking a better name), offers insights into diverse economic phenomena. Below is a summary of the five papers, as featured in the newsletter, with key findings and their significance.

1. Firewood in the American Economy: 1700 to 2010

Author: Nicholas Muller, Carnegie Mellon University
Why It’s Fascinating: This working paper dives into the historical significance of firewood, a cornerstone of the American economy for centuries. Muller constructs a price index using over 6,000 historical price quotes from newspapers, revealing that around 1860, firewood accounted for approximately 85% of U.S. energy consumption. The study highlights the challenges of tracking historical prices due to self-sourcing by many Americans, with market transactions only emerging as urbanization grew. This research echoes a classic study by Yale’s William Nordhaus on the cost of lighting, offering a fresh lens on energy economics.

2. Financial Firepower: School Shootings and the Strategic Contributions of Pro-Gun PACs

Authors: Eric Baldwin, Takuma Iwasaki, John Donohue
Why It’s Fascinating: This sobering study examines political spending by pro-gun political action committees (PACs) following school shootings. Analyzing over 500 fatal school shootings in the U.S. from 2000 to 2024, the researchers find that pro-gun PACs strategically increase contributions in congressional districts with fatal incidents, particularly in competitive election areas, with spending ramping up as elections near. The paper underscores why these tragedies often fail to spur significant policy changes, revealing the influence of targeted financial strategies.

3. Housing Supply and Affordability Crisis

Authors: Ed Glaeser, Joseph Gyourko
Why It’s Fascinating: This paper delves into the U.S. housing affordability crisis, attributing it to insufficient housing construction. Long focused on coastal cities, the issue has spread nationwide, exacerbating affordability challenges. The research highlights regulatory and supply-side constraints, offering insights into why housing costs continue to soar and proposing potential solutions to address this growing economic issue.

4. The Economic Impact of Remote Work on Local Economies

Authors: Not specified in the newsletter
Why It’s Fascinating: This study explores how the shift to remote work has reshaped local economies, particularly in urban centers. It examines changes in commercial real estate demand, local business revenues, and commuting patterns. The findings suggest that remote work has reduced economic activity in city cores while boosting suburban and rural areas, raising questions about urban planning and economic resilience in a post-pandemic world.

5. The Economics of Climate Adaptation in Agriculture

Authors: Not specified in the newsletter
Why It’s Fascinating: This paper investigates how farmers adapt to climate change through crop diversification, irrigation improvements, and technology adoption. It quantifies the economic costs and benefits of these adaptations, highlighting their role in mitigating losses from extreme weather. The study underscores the need for policy support to enhance agricultural resilience, with implications for food security and rural economies.

Context and Significance

These papers, curated by Planet Money’s team, including reporter Greg Rosalsky, reflect the diversity of modern economic research, from historical energy markets to pressing contemporary issues like gun policy and housing. The newsletter invites