Inequality, Race, and Sex: An Intersectional Analysis of US Carbon Intensity of Well-Being

• In Event: 2251 - Section on Environmental Sociology Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 4. Emissions and Economic Growth: State and National Trends and Comparisons

Abstract

The carbon intensity of well-being (CIWB) is a measure of social and environmental sustainability. Most commonly the CIWB has been analyzed at the global scale, but recent analysis has been done at the state level in the United States. Research at the macro scale neglects important factors such as race, but such factors can be assessed at the US state level. This paper uses state level data from 1997-2009 to analyze the CIWB, taking into account economic inequality, race, and sex differences. The findings suggest that education benefits both blacks and whites, and men and women, but that the positive impacts of education are smaller in magnitude for blacks.

Authors

• Michael D Briscoe, Utah State University

• Jennifer E. Givens, Utah State University