Clearing the Air on the Costs of Pollution
March 18, 2021
An explainer on some of the natural experiments economists have used to better quantify the costs air pollution imposes.
EF Explains
The environmental impact of human activity does not often not factor into the prices of goods and services we buy. But it can impose measurable costs. Our articles explore the economic rationale for government intervention in environmental policy; the costs and benefits of environmental regulation; energy policy; the financial and economic issues raised by climate-related disasters; and equity issues related to the environment.
March 18, 2021
An explainer on some of the natural experiments economists have used to better quantify the costs air pollution imposes.
February 1, 2021
The flu results in more hospitalizations when there is more air pollution. Vaccination against the flu could mitigate this negative impact of pollution.
October 8, 2020
Research suggests that extreme heat is disruptive for learning and contributes to gaps in educational achievement both across as well as within countries.
September 10, 2020
A well-designed carbon tax could enhance tax progressivity and environmental justice and contribute to hitting environmental goals for emissions reductions.
August 18, 2020
CO2 emissions around the world have dropped markedly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can this drop make a lasting dent on our climate change trajectory?
February 13, 2020
Gilbert Metcalf (Tufts) and Michael Klein (EconoFact) discuss new research which shows that a carbon tax is likely to impact owners of capital more than workers.
January 21, 2020
Climate change presents risks stemming from increased frequency of extreme weather events and transition risks resulting from rapid repricing of financial assets.
December 9, 2019
Michael Klein (EconoFact) and Gilbert Metcalf (Tufts) highlight that curbing greenhouse gas emissions does not have to come at the cost of economic growth.
October 18, 2019
A growing literature shows that breathing dirty air can raise medical costs, shorten lifespans, hinder learning and hurt our ability to make everyday decisions.