Convergence in Adaptation to Climate Change: Evidence from High Temperatures and Mortality, 1900–2004

Alan Barreca, Karen Clay, Olivier Deschenes, Michael Greenstone and Joseph Shapiro

University of California at Santa Barbara, Recent Works in Economics from Department of Economics, UC Santa Barbara

Abstract: This paper combines panel data on monthly mortality rates of US states and daily temperature variables for over a century (1900-2004) to explore the regional evolution of the temperature-mortality relationship and documents two key findings. First, the impact of extreme heat on mortality is notably smaller in states that more frequently experience extreme heat. Second, the difference in the heat-mortality relationship between hot and cold states declined over 1900-2004, though it persisted through 2004. Continuing differences in the mortality consequences of hot days suggests that health motivated adaptation to climate change may be slow and costly around the world.

Keywords: Climate Change; Basic Behavioral and Social Science; Climate-Related Exposures and Conditions; Behavioral and Social Science; Climate Action; Good Health and Well Being; Economics; Commerce; Management; Tourism and Services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-05-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (32)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Convergence in Adaptation to Climate Change: Evidence from High Temperatures and Mortality, 1900-2004 (2015)
Working Paper: Convergence in Adaptation to Climate Change: Evidence from High Temperatures and Mortality, 1900–2004 (2015)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cdl:ucsbrw:qt7rd2f6vk

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