Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/41620 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
Kiel Working Paper No. 1658
Publisher: 
Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Kiel
Abstract: 
We analyse the influence of climate on average life satisfaction in 87 countries using data from the World Values Survey. Climate is described in terms of 'degree-months' calculated using an optimally-selected base temperature of 65°F (18.3°C). Our results suggest that countries with climates characterised by a large number of degree-months enjoy significantly lower levels of life satisfaction. This finding is robust to a wide variety of model specifications. Using our results to analyse a particular climate change scenario associated with the IPCC A2 emissions scenario points to major losses for African countries, but modest gains for Northern Europe.
Subjects: 
climate
climate change
happiness
life satisfaction
survey data
JEL: 
D60
H41
I31
Q51
Q54
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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