Inequality and the Carbon Intensity of Human Well-Being

• In Event: 298 - Section on Environment and Technology Paper Session. Environment and Development (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Development)

Abstract

One potential pathway towards sustainability involves reducing the level of anthropogenic carbon emissions per unit of human well-being, also known as the carbon intensity of human well-being (CIWB). I estimate longitudinal models, which indicate that for OECD and Non-OECD nations, income inequality began increasing CIWB in the 1990s, and the effect of inequality on CIWB continued to increase in magnitude through time. This suggests that reducing inequality in nations throughout the world could enhance both climate change mitigation efforts and human quality of life.

Author

• Andrew K. Jorgenson, Boston College