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Ancestral origins of attention to environmental issues

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  • C'esar Barilla
  • Palaash Bhargava

Abstract

How does the climatic experience of previous generations affect today's attention to environmental questions? Using self-reported beliefs and environmental themes in folklore, we show empirically that the realized intensity of deviations from typical climate conditions in ancestral generations influences how much descendants care about the environment. The effect exhibits a U-shape where more stable and more unstable ancestral climates lead to higher attention today, with a dip for intermediate realizations. We propose a theoretical framework where the value of costly attention to environmental conditions depends on the perceived stability of the environment, prior beliefs about which are shaped through cultural transmission by the experience of ethnic ancestors. The U-shape is rationalized by a double purpose of learning about the environment: optimal utilization of typical conditions and protection against extreme events.

Suggested Citation

  • C'esar Barilla & Palaash Bhargava, 2025. "Ancestral origins of attention to environmental issues," Papers 2509.09598, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2509.09598
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    File URL: http://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.09598
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