Human Capital and Climate Change

26 Pages Posted: 6 Mar 2023 Last revised: 11 Apr 2023

See all articles by Noam Angrist

Noam Angrist

University of Oxford, Blavatnik School of Government, Students

Kevin Winseck

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

Harry A. Patrinos

World Bank

Joshua Graff Zivin

School of Global Policy and Strategy; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: March 2023

Abstract

Addressing climate change requires individual behavior change and voter support for pro-climate policies, yet surprisingly little is known about how to achieve these outcomes. In this paper, we estimate causal effects of additional education on pro-climate outcomes using new compulsory schooling law data across 16 European countries. We analyze effects on pro-climate beliefs, behaviors, policy preferences, and novel data on voting for green parties – a particularly consequential outcome to combat climate change. Results show a year of education increases pro-climate beliefs, behaviors, most policy preferences, and green voting, with voting gains equivalent to a substantial 35% increase.

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Suggested Citation

Angrist, Noam and Winseck, Kevin and Patrinos, Harry Anthony and Graff Zivin, Joshua, Human Capital and Climate Change (March 2023). NBER Working Paper No. w31000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4379031

Noam Angrist (Contact Author)

University of Oxford, Blavatnik School of Government, Students ( email )

10 Merton Street
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4JJ
United Kingdom

Kevin Winseck

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093
United States

Harry Anthony Patrinos

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Joshua Graff Zivin

School of Global Policy and Strategy ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive #0519
La Jolla, CA 92093-0519
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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