Climate Change, Mortality, and Adaptation: Evidence from Annual Fluctuations in Weather in the US

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2011
Volume: 3
Issue: 4
Pages: 152-85

Authors (2)

Olivier Deschênes (not in RePEc) Michael Greenstone (University of Chicago)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Using random year-to-year variation in temperature, we document the relationship between daily temperatures and annual mortality rates and daily temperatures and annual residential energy consumption. Both relationships exhibit nonlinearities, with significant increases at the extremes of the temperature distribution. The application of these results to "business as usual" climate predictions indicates that by the end of the century climate change will lead to increases of 3 percent in the age-adjusted mortality rate and 11 percent in annual residential energy consumption. These estimates likely overstate the long-run costs, because climate change will unfold gradually allowing individuals to engage in a wider set of adaptations. (JEL I12, Q41, Q54)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:3:y:2011:i:4:p:152-85
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25