Climate Change and Economic Growth: Evidence from the Last Half Century / Melissa Dell, Benjamin F. Jones, Benjamin A. Olken.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dell, Melissa.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Jones, Benjamin F.

Olken, Benjamin A.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w14132.

NBER working paper series no. w14132

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Other Title:

Climate Change and Economic Growth

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2008.

Summary:

This paper uses annual variation in temperature and precipitation over the past 50 years to examine the impact of climatic changes on economic activity throughout the world. We find three primary results. First, higher temperatures substantially reduce economic growth in poor countries but have little effect in rich countries. Second, higher temperatures appear to reduce growth rates in poor countries, rather than just the level of output. Third, higher temperatures have wide-ranging effects in poor nations, reducing agricultural output, industrial output, and aggregate investment, and increasing political instability. Analysis of decade or longer climate shifts also shows substantial negative effects on growth in poor countries. Should future impacts of climate change mirror these historical effects, the negative impact on poor countries may be substantial.

Notes:

Print version record

June 2008.