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Human Capital, Income, and Environmental Quality: A State-Level Analysis

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  • Goetz, Stephan J.
  • Debertin, David L.
  • Pagoulatos, Angelos

Abstract

An empirical analysis reveals that states with more highly educated populations have better environmental conditions, after controlling for income, population density, and industrial composition. The strategy of raising human capital stocks to maintain or improve environmental quality is proposed as a complement, if not an alternative, to direct government intervention, which consists of command and control, market incentives, and moral suasion. Under this approach, general education becomes the control variable that guides economic behavior in a manner consistent with long-term environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Goetz, Stephan J. & Debertin, David L. & Pagoulatos, Angelos, 1998. "Human Capital, Income, and Environmental Quality: A State-Level Analysis," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(2), pages 200-208, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:agrerw:v:27:y:1998:i:02:p:200-208_00
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    4. Bekhzod Kuziboev & Ergash Ibadullaev & Olimjon Saidmamatov & Alibek Rajabov & Peter Marty & Sherzodbek Ruzmetov & Alisher Sherov, 2023. "The Role of Renewable Energy and Human Capital in Reducing Environmental Degradation in Europe and Central Asia: Panel Quantile Regression and GMM Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Hondroyiannis, George & Papapetrou, Evangelia & Tsalaporta, Pinelopi, 2022. "New insights on the contribution of human capital to environmental degradation: Evidence from heterogeneous and cross-correlated countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    6. Natacha Raffin, 2014. "Education and the Political Economy of Environmental Protection," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 115-116, pages 379-407.
    7. Athanasios Lapatinas & Anastasia Litina & Eftichios Sophocles Sartzetakis, 2019. "Environmental projects in the presence of corruption," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(1), pages 103-144, February.
    8. Shan, Haipeng & Wong, Wing-Keung & Hu, Haichuan & Shraah, Ata Al & Alromaihi, Abdullah & The Cong, Phan & Thi Minh Uyen, Pham, 2024. "Fintech innovation for sustainable environment: Understanding the role of natural resources and human capital in BRICS using MMQR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    9. AM Priyangani Adikari & Haiyun Liu & DMSLB Dissanayake & Manjula Ranagalage, 2023. "Human Capital and Carbon Emissions: The Way forward Reducing Environmental Degradation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.
    10. Busra Agan & Mehmet Balcilar, 2022. "On the Determinants of Green Technology Diffusion: An Empirical Analysis of Economic, Social, Political, and Environmental Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-23, February.
    11. Brouhle, Keith & Khanna, Madhu, 2012. "Determinants of participation versus consumption in the Nordic Swan eco-labeled market," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 142-151.
    12. Yao, Yao & Ivanovski, Kris & Inekwe, John & Smyth, Russell, 2020. "Human capital and CO2 emissions in the long run," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
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    14. Raghu KC & Jarno Föhr & Tapio Ranta, 2023. "Public Perception on the Sustainable Energy Transition in Rural Finland: A Multi-criteria Approach," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 735-755, June.

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