Life satisfaction and environmental conditions: issues for policy. (1st January 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arvin, B. Mak; Lew, Byron
• Is Part Of: International journal of global environmental issues. Volume 12:Number 1(2012)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2012-01-01
• Subjects: life satisfaction -- happiness -- environmental conditions -- environmental pollution -- per capita income; Global environmental change -- Periodicals; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; 363.70526
• DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2012.047876
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-6650

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between pollution and life satisfaction in countries around the globe over recent decades. Our empirical model allows both per capita income and pollution to enter as arguments of a life satisfaction 'production function'. The results reveal that pollution has a negative marginal impact on the level of life satisfaction of citizens of countries - although this negative impact is reduced as these countries become more economically prosperous. We conclude that interactions between per capita income and pollution should be considered in empirical studies assessing life satisfaction.