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Effects of information on environmental quality in developing countries

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  • E. Somanathan

    (Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi)

Abstract

How does information on environmental risks obtained by individuals in developing countries affect environmental quality? The literature reveals that for issues like water quality and pesticides, information affects individual behavior and risks are reduced through individual action. However, even if information were to become widely available in developing countries, unless regulation is also strengthened, environmental risks will remain at high levels relative to developed countries. While education appears to raise the demand for environmental quality, there is no systematic developing-country evidence that this demand translates into increased supply through the political process and government regulation.

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  • E. Somanathan, 2010. "Effects of information on environmental quality in developing countries," Discussion Papers 10-04, Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi.
    • Handle: RePEc:alo:isipdp:10-04
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    Cited by:

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    4. Rajapakshe, Sisira & Termansen, Mette & Paavola, Jouni, 2022. "Valuing Water Service Improvements through Revealed Preference: Averting Behaviour Method," MPRA Paper 115623, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    6. Matthew Krupoff & Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak & Alexander van Geen, 2020. "Evaluating Strategies to Reduce Arsenic Poisoning in South Asia: A View from the Social Sciences," Asian Development Review, MIT Press, vol. 37(2), pages 21-44, September.
    7. Ahmad, Husnain F. & Gibson, Matthew & Nadeem, Fatiq & Nasim, Sanval & Rezaee, Arman, 2022. "Forecasts: Consumption, Production, and Behavioral Responses," IZA Discussion Papers 15831, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Jessoe, Katrina, 2013. "Improved source, improved quality? Demand for drinking water quality in rural India," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 66(3), pages 460-475.
    9. Mekonnen, Alemu & Hassen, Sied & Jaime, Marcela & Toman, Michael & Zhang, Xiao-Bing, 2023. "The effect of information and subsidy on adoption of solar lanterns: An application of the BDM bidding mechanism in rural Ethiopia," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    10. Göran Bostedt & Agneta Hörnell & Gert Nyberg, 2016. "Agroforestry extension and dietary diversity – an analysis of the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in West Pokot, Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 271-284, February.
    11. Dendup, Ngawang & Arimura, Toshi H., 2019. "Information leverage: The adoption of clean cooking fuel in Bhutan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 181-195.
    12. Cook, Joseph & Wagner, Jake & Newell, Gunnar, 2020. "A Decision Support Tool for Rural Water Supply Planning," EfD Discussion Paper 20-6, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    13. Afridi, Farzana & Debnath, Sisir & Somanathan, E., 2021. "A breath of fresh air: Raising awareness for clean fuel adoption," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    14. Barnwal, Prabhat & van Geen, Alexander & von der Goltz, Jan & Singh, Chander Kumar, 2017. "Demand for environmental quality information and household response: Evidence from well-water arsenic testing," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 160-192.
    15. Göran Bostedt & Agneta Hörnell & Gert Nyberg, 2016. "Agroforestry extension and dietary diversity – an analysis of the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in West Pokot, Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 271-284, February.
    16. Ghani, Gairuzazmi M., 2012. "Does trade liberalization effect energy consumption?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 285-290.
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    18. repec:gii:giihei:ciesrp:cies_rp_27 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Göran Bostedt & Lonah Mukoya & Deborah Muricho & Gert Nyberg, 2021. "Saving and borrowing behaviour among agropastoralists in West Pokot County, Kenya," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 1043-1062, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information; environmental quality; developing countries; valuation by revealed preference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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