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Life Satisfaction and Air Quality in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Ferreira, Susana

    (University of Georgia)

  • Akay, Alpaslan

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Brereton, Finbarr

    (University College Dublin)

  • Cuñado, Juncal

    (University of Navarra)

  • Martinsson, Peter

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Moro, Mirko

    (University of Stirling)

Abstract

Concerns for environmental quality and its impact on people's welfare are fundamental arguments for the adoption of environmental legislation in most countries. In this paper, we analyse the relationship between air quality and subjective well-being in Europe. We use a unique dataset that merges three waves of the European Social Survey with a new dataset on environmental quality including SO2 concentrations and climate in Europe at the regional level. We find a robust negative impact of SO2 concentrations on self-reported life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferreira, Susana & Akay, Alpaslan & Brereton, Finbarr & Cuñado, Juncal & Martinsson, Peter & Moro, Mirko, 2012. "Life Satisfaction and Air Quality in Europe," IZA Discussion Papers 6732, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6732
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    life satisfaction; subjective well-being; SO2 concentrations; air quality; European Social Survey; Europe; GIS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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