The Economic Geography of Global Warming

Esteban Rossi-Hansberg and José-Luis Cruz ()

No 15803, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Global warming is a worldwide and protracted phenomenon with heterogeneous local economic effects. In order to evaluate the aggregate and local economic consequences of higher temperatures, we propose a dynamic economic assessment model of the world economy with high spatial resolution. Our model features a number of mechanisms through which individuals can adapt to global warming, including costly trade and migration, and local technological innovations and natality rates. We quantify the model at a 1-degree by 1-degree resolution and estimate damage functions that determine the impact of temperature changes on a region's fundamental productivity and amenities depending on local temperatures. Our baseline results show welfare losses as large as 15% in parts of Africa and Latin America but also high heterogeneity across locations, with northern regions in Siberia, Canada, and Alaska experiencing gains. Our results indicate large uncertainty about average welfare effects and point to migration and, to a lesser extent, innovation as important adaptation mechanisms. We use the model to assess the impact of carbon taxes, abatement technologies, and clean energy subsidies. Carbon taxes delay consumption of fossil fuels and help flatten the temperature curve but are much more effective when an abatement technology is forthcoming.

JEL-codes: F63 F69 Q51 Q54 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-ene, nep-env, nep-geo and nep-res
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (39)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Economic Geography of Global Warming (2024)
Working Paper: The Economic Geography of Global Warming (2021)
Working Paper: The Economic Geography of Global Warming (2021)
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