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Deaths from natural disasters: How important are income, income inequality and geography?

Author

Listed:
  • Hebe Nicholson

    (School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews)

  • Nick Hanley

    (School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews)

  • Laure Kuhfuss

    (School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews)

  • Allan Findlay

    (School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews)

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of income, income inequality and geography in explaining recent time trends in global hazards from natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. We seek to explain a pattern in the data which shows a decline in such disasters from the early 2000s across 73 countries, despite increasing pressures from climate change. Using a zero-inflated negative binomial model and a generalized least squared regression model, we show that income and income inequality both have significant effects on the number of disasters and on deaths from natural hazards; but that geographical factors also play an important role. It seems from the data as if countries can reduce expected deaths from natural disasters by increasing average incomes and by improving the fairness with which such income is distributed. However, results for the geographical variables suggest that this “escape route” is not equally open to all countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Hebe Nicholson & Nick Hanley & Laure Kuhfuss & Allan Findlay, 2017. "Deaths from natural disasters: How important are income, income inequality and geography?," Discussion Papers in Environment and Development Economics 2017-12, University of St. Andrews, School of Geography and Sustainable Development.
    • Handle: RePEc:sss:wpaper:2017-12
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    File URL: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/dept-of-geography-and-sustainable-development/pdf-s/DP%202017-11.%20Nicholson%20et%20alpdf.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Natural disasters; natural hazards; income growth; income inequality; self-protection; zero inflated negative binomial models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • 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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