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Human Capital, Income, And Environmental Quality: A State-Level Analysis

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  • Goetz, Stephan J.
  • Debertin, David L.
  • Pagoulatos, Angelos

Abstract

An empirical analysis reveals that states with more highly educated populations have better environmental conditions, after controlling for income, population density, and industrial composition. The strategy of raising human capital stocks to maintain or improve environmental quality is proposed as a complement, if not an alternative, to direct government intervention, which consists of command and control, market incentives, and moral suasion. Under this approach, general education becomes the control variable that guides economic behavior in a manner consistent with long-term environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Goetz, Stephan J. & Debertin, David L. & Pagoulatos, Angelos, 1998. "Human Capital, Income, And Environmental Quality: A State-Level Analysis," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 27(2), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:arerjl:31530
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.31530
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    2. Ariane Manuela Amin, 2012. "What Drives Biodiversity Conservation Effort in the Developing World? An analysis for Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers halshs-00722081, HAL.
    3. Canan Şentürk & Gamze Sart & Mahmut Ünsal Şaşmaz & Yilmaz Bayar, 2023. "Health Expenditures, Human Capital, and Sustainable Development: Panel Evidence from the New EU Member Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Natacha Raffin, 2014. "Education and the Political Economy of Environmental Protection," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 115-116, pages 379-407.
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    6. Brouhle, Keith & Khanna, Madhu, 2012. "Determinants of participation versus consumption in the Nordic Swan eco-labeled market," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 142-151.
    7. Bekhzod Kuziboev & Ergash Ibadullaev & Olimjon Saidmamatov & Alibek Rajabov & Peter Marty & Sherzodbek Ruzmetov & Alisher Sherov, 2023. "The Role of Renewable Energy and Human Capital in Reducing Environmental Degradation in Europe and Central Asia: Panel Quantile Regression and GMM Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-12, November.
    8. Yao, Yao & Ivanovski, Kris & Inekwe, John & Smyth, Russell, 2020. "Human capital and CO2 emissions in the long run," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    9. Hondroyiannis, George & Papapetrou, Evangelia & Tsalaporta, Pinelopi, 2022. "New insights on the contribution of human capital to environmental degradation: Evidence from heterogeneous and cross-correlated countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    10. Lan, Jing & Munro, Alistair, 2013. "Environmental compliance and human capital: Evidence from Chinese industrial firms," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 534-557.
    11. Athanasios Lapatinas & Anastasia Litina & Eftichios Sophocles Sartzetakis, 2019. "Environmental projects in the presence of corruption," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(1), pages 103-144, February.
    12. Raghu KC & Jarno Föhr & Tapio Ranta, 2023. "Public Perception on the Sustainable Energy Transition in Rural Finland: A Multi-criteria Approach," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 735-755, June.
    13. Shan, Haipeng & Wong, Wing-Keung & Hu, Haichuan & Shraah, Ata Al & Alromaihi, Abdullah & The Cong, Phan & Thi Minh Uyen, Pham, 2024. "Fintech innovation for sustainable environment: Understanding the role of natural resources and human capital in BRICS using MMQR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    14. AM Priyangani Adikari & Haiyun Liu & DMSLB Dissanayake & Manjula Ranagalage, 2023. "Human Capital and Carbon Emissions: The Way forward Reducing Environmental Degradation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.

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