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Chasing Clean Air: Pollution-Induced Travels in China

Author

Listed:
  • Shuai Chen
  • Yuyu Chen
  • Ziteng Lei
  • Jie-Sheng Tan-Soo

Abstract

This study uses “big” data to empirically investigate a highly effective, but underexamined way of reducing one’s exposure toward air pollution—short-term travel. We determine subscribers’ locations using mobile phones’ signals and thereby establish linkages between air pollution and short-term population movements between cities in China. Using an instrumental variable based on daily variation in wind directions and pollution levels from distant upwind locations, we find that a one-unit increase in the origin city’s air quality index (AQI) over the destination city’s AQI increases short-term population flow from origin to destination by 0.15%. Further analyses provide richer characterizations of the decision-making process behind travel movements. Our findings add to the evidence base by examining in detail an understudied behavioral response toward air pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuai Chen & Yuyu Chen & Ziteng Lei & Jie-Sheng Tan-Soo, 2021. "Chasing Clean Air: Pollution-Induced Travels in China," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(1), pages 59-89.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/711476
    DOI: 10.1086/711476
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Chunchao & Lin, Qianqian & Qiu, Yun, 2022. "Productivity loss amid invisible pollution," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    2. Dong, Yan & Tian, Jinhuan & Wen, Qiang, 2022. "Environmental regulation and outward foreign direct investment: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Moon Joon Kim & Xiaolin Xie & Xiaochen Zhang, 2021. "How Does an Environmental Amenity Attract Voluntary Migrants? Evidence from Ambient Air Quality in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Liu, Ziheng & Lu, Qinan, 2023. "Ozone stress and crop harvesting failure: Evidence from US food production," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    5. Shihe Fu & V. Brian Viard, 2022. "A mayors perspective on tackling air pollution," Chapters, in: Charles K.Y. Leung (ed.), Handbook of Real Estate and Macroeconomics, chapter 16, pages 413-437, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    6. Chen, Fanglin & Zhang, Xin & Chen, Zhongfei, 2023. "Air pollution and mental health: Evidence from China Health and Nutrition Survey," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    7. Gao, Yanyan & Zhang, Lin & Nan, Yongqing, 2023. "Travel to breathe the fresh air? Big data evidence on the short-term migration effect of air pollution from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    8. Wang, Yangjie & Zang, Shoujuan & Qiang, Hongjie & Wang, Jinxian, 2023. "Air pollution disclosing and tourism: Who are winners?," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    9. Tongshan Liu & Guoying Han & Wan Nie, 2022. "Optimal Residence: Does Air Quality Affect Settlement Decisions of Urban Floating Migrants?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-15, June.
    10. Yan Chen & Xiaohong Chen & Hongshan Ai & Xiaoqing Tan, 2022. "Temperature and Migration Intention: Evidence from the Unified National Graduate Entrance Examination in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-23, August.
    11. Quy Van Khuc & Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Tam-Tri Le & Truc-Le Nguyen & Thuy Nguyen & Hoang Khac Lich & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2022. "Brain Drain out of the Blue: Pollution-Induced Migration in Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-20, March.
    12. Luojia Wang & Kerui Du & Bin Fang & Rob Law, 2023. "Escape from air pollution: How does air quality in the place of residence shape tourism consumption?," Tourism Economics, , vol. 29(4), pages 1074-1099, June.
    13. Lee, Wang-Sheng & Tran, Trang My & Yu, Lamont Bo, 2022. "Dual Circulation and Population Mobility during the Pandemic in China," IZA Discussion Papers 15269, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    14. Cai, Hechang & Wang, Zilong & Zhang, Zhiwen & Xu, Liuyang, 2023. "Does environmental regulation promote technology transfer? Evidence from a partially linear functional-coefficient panel model," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    15. Liu, Ziheng & Chen, Xi & Lu, Qinan, 2023. "Blowin' in the Wind of an Invisible Killer: Long-Term Exposure to Ozone and Respiratory Mortality in the United States," IZA Discussion Papers 15981, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    16. Wang, Linfeng & Shi, Tie & Chen, Hanyi, 2023. "Air pollution and infant mortality: Evidence from China," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    17. Liu, Ziheng & Lu, Qinan, 2023. "Invisible pollution and hypertension: Evidence from the aging population in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    18. Lai, Wangyang & Song, Hong & Wang, Chang & Wang, Huanhuan, 2021. "Air pollution and brain drain: Evidence from college graduates in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    19. Ye, Hai-Jian & Huang, Zuhui & Chen, Shuai, 2023. "Air pollution and agricultural labor supply: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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