Intelligence and its Effects on Environmental Decline: A Worldwide Analysis

Kazeem Ajide (), Olorunfemi Alimi () and Simplice Asongu
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Kazeem Ajide: University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Olorunfemi Alimi: University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

No 24/017, Working Papers from European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS)

Abstract: The research investigates the relationship between intelligence quotient (IQ) and environmental degradation, aiming to understand how cognitive abilities influence environmental outcomes across different nations and time periods. The objective is to examine the impact of intelligence quotient (IQ) on environmental indicators such as carbon emissions, ecological demand, and the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), seeking insights to inform environmental policy and stewardship. The study utilizes statistical techniques including Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS), and Iteratively Weighted Least Squares (IWLS) to analyze data from 147 nations over the years 2000 to 2017. These methods are applied to explore the relationship between IQ and environmental metrics while considering other relevant variables. The findings reveal unexpected positive associations between human intelligence quotient and carbon emissions, as well as ecological demand, challenging conventional notions of "delay discounting." Additionally, variations in the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis are identified across different pollutants, highlighting the roles of governance and international commitments in mitigating emissions. The study concludes by advocating for the adoption of a "delay discounting culture" to address environmental challenges effectively. It underscores the complex interactions between intelligence, governance, and population dynamics in shaping environmental outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted policies to achieve sustainability objectives.

Keywords: Human capital; intelligence quotient; population; output; carbon emission; EKC, World (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C52 I20 O38 O40 Q50 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 46
Date: 2024-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-ene, nep-env and nep-inv
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http://publications.excas.org/RePEc/exs/exs-wpaper ... rldwide-Analysis.pdf Revised version, 2024 (application/pdf)

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Working Paper: Intelligence and its Effects on Environmental Decline: A Worldwide Analysis (2024)
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