IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ecolec/v69y2010i3p658-665.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The economics of global light pollution

Author

Listed:
  • Gallaway, Terrel
  • Olsen, Reed N.
  • Mitchell, David M.

Abstract

This paper is the first analysis of the economic factors of global light pollution. Light pollution commonly refers to excessive or obtrusive artificial light caused by bad lighting design. Light pollution generates significant costs including negative impacts on wildlife, health, astronomy, and wasted energy--which in the U.S. amounts to nearly 7Â billion dollars annually. Current scientific models of light pollution are purely population based. The current paper utilizes unique remote sensing data and economic data from the World Bank to quantify the economic causes of light pollution globally. Fractional logit models show that, similar to other types of pollution, both population and GDP are significant explanatory variables.

Suggested Citation

  • Gallaway, Terrel & Olsen, Reed N. & Mitchell, David M., 2010. "The economics of global light pollution," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(3), pages 658-665, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:69:y:2010:i:3:p:658-665
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921-8009(09)00412-1
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Franz Wirl, 2007. "Energy Prices and Carbon Taxes under Uncertainty about Global Warming," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 36(3), pages 313-340, March.
    2. Gene M. Grossman & Alan B. Krueger, 1995. "Economic Growth and the Environment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 110(2), pages 353-377.
    3. Murdock, Jennifer, 2006. "Handling unobserved site characteristics in random utility models of recreation demand," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 1-25, January.
    4. William T. Harbaugh & Arik Levinson & David Molloy Wilson, 2002. "Reexamining The Empirical Evidence For An Environmental Kuznets Curve," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 84(3), pages 541-551, August.
    5. Shimshack, Jay P. & Ward, Michael B. & Beatty, Timothy K.M., 2007. "Mercury advisories: Information, education, and fish consumption," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 158-179, March.
    6. Merlevede, Bruno & Verbeke, Tom & De Clercq, Marc, 2006. "The EKC for SO2: Does firm size matter?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(4), pages 451-461, October.
    7. Jie HE, 2008. "Foreign Direct Investment And Air Pollution In China: Evidence From Chinese Cities," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 28, pages 131-150.
    8. William J. Baumol & Wallace E. Oates, 1971. "The Use of Standards and Prices for Protection of the Environment," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Peter Bohm & Allen V. Kneese (ed.), The Economics of Environment, pages 53-65, Palgrave Macmillan.
    9. World Bank, 2002. "World Development Indicators 2002," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13921.
    10. Robin R. Sobotta & Heather E. Campbell & Beverly J. Owens, 2007. "Aviation Noise And Environmental Justice: The Barrio Barrier," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 125-154, February.
    11. Papke, Leslie E & Wooldridge, Jeffrey M, 1996. "Econometric Methods for Fractional Response Variables with an Application to 401(K) Plan Participation Rates," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 11(6), pages 619-632, Nov.-Dec..
    12. Picazo-Tadeo, Andres J. & Reig-Martinez, Ernest, 2007. "Farmers' costs of environmental regulation: Reducing the consumption of nitrogen in citrus farming," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 312-328, March.
    13. Font, Antoni Riera, 2000. "Mass Tourism and the Demand for Protected Natural Areas: A Travel Cost Approach," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 97-116, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Anna Beniermann & Martin Glos & Heike Schumacher & Ingo Fietze & Stephan Völker & Annette Upmeier zu Belzen, 2023. "‘Sleep Blindness’ in Science Education: How Sleep Health Literacy Can Serve as a Link between Health Education and Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Jakub Zofcak & Dominik Stroukal & Josef Sima, 2024. "A policy-oriented framework for social cost analysis of gambling: Evidence from the Czech Republic," E&M Economics and Management, Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Economics, vol. 27(4), pages 54-72, December.
    3. Annika K. Jägerbrand, 2015. "New Framework of Sustainable Indicators for Outdoor LED (Light Emitting Diodes) Lighting and SSL (Solid State Lighting)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-36, January.
    4. Quang Tran, Tuyen & Hong Nguyen, Son & Van Vu, Huong & Quoc Nguyen, Viet, 2014. "Determinants of poverty among ethnic minorities in the Northwest region, Vietnam," MPRA Paper 59144, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 01 Oct 2014.
    5. Allen Jong-Woei Whang & Yi-Yung Chen & Min-Yih Leu & Wei-Chieh Tseng & Yu-Zheng Lin & Hao-Wen Chang & Chih-Hsien Tsai & Yu-Cheng Liang & Xin Zhang & Cheng-Tse Lin & Tzu-Chun Huang & Cheng-Ming Chang &, 2022. "Development and Testing of a Modular Sunlight Transport System Employing Free-Form Mirrors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    6. Jiayi Li & Yongming Xu & Weiping Cui & Meng Ji & Boyang Su & Yuyang Wu & Jing Wang, 2020. "Investigation of Nighttime Light Pollution in Nanjing, China by Mapping Illuminance from Field Observations and Luojia 1-01 Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Reed N. Olsen & Terrel Gallaway & David Mitchell, 2014. "Modelling US light pollution," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(6), pages 883-903, June.
    8. Cesar R Salas-Guerra, 2021. "Impact of digital economic activity on regional economic growth: A Case study from northern Minas Gerais between 2009 To 2018," Papers 2105.02849, arXiv.org.
    9. Yongguang Zhu & Deyi Xu & Saleem H. Ali & Ruiyang Ma & Jinhua Cheng, 2019. "Can Nighttime Light Data Be Used to Estimate Electric Power Consumption? New Evidence from Causal-Effect Inference," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Krzysztof Skarżyński & Anna Rutkowska, 2023. "The Interplay between Parameters of Light Pollution and Energy Efficiency for Outdoor Amenity Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    11. Salvador Bará & Raul C. Lima & Jaime Zamorano, 2019. "Monitoring Long-Term Trends in the Anthropogenic Night Sky Brightness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-14, May.
    12. Beaudet, Chloé & Tardieu, Léa & David, Maia, 2022. "Are citizens willing to accept changes in public lighting for biodiversity conservation?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    13. Kienast, Felix & Frick, Jacqueline & van Strien, Maarten J. & Hunziker, Marcel, 2015. "The Swiss Landscape Monitoring Program – A comprehensive indicator set to measure landscape change," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 295(C), pages 136-150.
    14. Steinkraus, Arne, 2016. "Investigating the Carbon Leakage Effect on the Environmental Kuznets Curve Using Luminosity Data," EconStor Preprints 126084, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    15. Annika K. Jägerbrand, 2020. "Synergies and Trade-Offs Between Sustainable Development and Energy Performance of Exterior Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, May.
    16. Ruixi Su & Yi Chen & Zibin Huang, 2024. "Evaluating Light Pollution: An IES Model for Intervention Strategies," Environment and Pollution, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(1), pages 1-1, March.
    17. Alina Svechkina & Tamar Trop & Boris A. Portnov, 2020. "How Much Lighting is Required to Feel Safe When Walking Through the Streets at Night?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, April.
    18. Karolina M. Zielińska-Dabkowska & Kyra Xavia & Katarzyna Bobkowska, 2020. "Assessment of Citizens’ Actions against Light Pollution with Guidelines for Future Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-32, June.
    19. Krzysztof Skarżyński & Wojciech Żagan, 2022. "Quantitative Assessment of Architectural Lighting Designs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, March.
    20. Liangkun Fang & Zhangjie Wu & Yuan Tao & Jinfeng Gao, 2023. "Light Pollution Index System Model Based on Markov Random Field," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-18, July.
    21. Xueting Jin & Yu Li & Jinzhou Zhang & Ji Zheng & Huiping Liu, 2017. "An Approach to Evaluating Light Pollution in Residential Zones: A Case Study of Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-12, April.
    22. Domenico Campisi & Simone Gitto & Donato Morea, 2017. "Light Emitting Diodes Technology in Public Light System of the Municipality of Rome: An Economic and Financial Analysis," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 7(1), pages 200-208.
    23. Tran Quang, Tuyen, 2014. "Determinants of nonfarm participation among ethnic minorities in the Northwest Mountains, Vietnam," MPRA Paper 59158, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 08 Oct 2014.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Reed N. Olsen & Terrel Gallaway & David Mitchell, 2014. "Modelling US light pollution," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(6), pages 883-903, June.
    2. Brajer, Victor & Mead, Robert W. & Xiao, Feng, 2008. "Health benefits of tunneling through the Chinese environmental Kuznets curve (EKC)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(4), pages 674-686, July.
    3. De Silva, Dakshina G. & McComb, Robert P. & Schiller, Anita R. & Slechten, Aurelie, 2021. "Firm behavior and pollution in small geographies," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    4. Paudel, Krishna P. & Lin, C.-Y. Cynthia & Pandit, Mahesh, 2014. "Environmental Kuznets Curve for Water Quality Parameters at Global Level," 2014 Annual Meeting, February 1-4, 2014, Dallas, Texas 162618, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    5. Israel Debra & Levinson Arik, 2004. "Willingness to Pay for Environmental Quality: Testable Empirical Implications of the Growth and Environment Literature," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 3(1), pages 1-29, February.
    6. He, Jie & Wang, Hua, 2012. "Economic structure, development policy and environmental quality: An empirical analysis of environmental Kuznets curves with Chinese municipal data," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 49-59.
    7. Sebri, Maamar, 2009. "La Zone Méditerranéenne Face à la Pollution de L’air : Une Investigation Econométrique [The Mediterranean Zone in front of Air pollution: an Econometric Investigation]," MPRA Paper 32382, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Carmen van der Merwe & Martin de Wit, 2021. "An In-Depth Investigation into the Relationship Between Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town," Working Papers 07/2021, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics, revised 2021.
    9. Mazzanti, Massimiliano & Montini, Anna & Zoboli, Roberto, 2006. "Municipal Waste Production, Economic Drivers, and 'New' Waste Policies: EKC Evidence from Italian Regional and Provincial Panel Data," Climate Change Modelling and Policy Working Papers 12053, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    10. Matthew A. Cole & Robert J.R. Elliott & Jing Zhang, 2011. "Growth, Foreign Direct Investment, And The Environment: Evidence From Chinese Cities," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(1), pages 121-138, February.
    11. Bartz, Sherry & Kelly, David L., 2008. "Economic growth and the environment: Theory and facts," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 115-149, May.
    12. Md Danesh Miah & Md Farhad Hossain Masum & Masao Koike & Shalina Akther & Nur Muhammed, 2011. "Environmental Kuznets Curve: the case of Bangladesh for waste emission and suspended particulate matter," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 59-66, March.
    13. Castells-Quintana, David & Dienesch, Elisa & Krause, Melanie, 2021. "Air pollution in an urban world: A global view on density, cities and emissions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    14. Luzzati, T. & Orsini, M., 2009. "Investigating the energy-environmental Kuznets curve," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 291-300.
    15. Bartz, Sherry & Kelly, David L., 2008. "Economic growth and the environment: Theory and facts," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 115-149, May.
    16. R. Quentin Grafton & Stephen Knowles, 2002. "Social Capital and National Environmental Performance: A Cross-sectional Analysis," Economics and Environment Network Working Papers 0206, Australian National University, Economics and Environment Network.
    17. Managi, Shunsuke & Hibiki, Akira & Tsurumi, Tetsuya, 2009. "Does trade openness improve environmental quality?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 58(3), pages 346-363, November.
    18. Sabuj Kumar Mandal & Devleena Chakravarty, 2017. "Role of energy in estimating turning point of Environmental Kuznets Curve: an econometric analysis of the existing studies," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 19(2), pages 387-401, October.
    19. Massimiliano Mazzanti & Roberto Zoboli, 2008. "Waste Generation, Incineration and Landfill Diversion. De-coupling Trends, Socio-Economic Drivers and Policy Effectiveness in the EU," Working Papers 2008.94, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    20. He, Jie & Richard, Patrick, 2010. "Environmental Kuznets curve for CO2 in Canada," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1083-1093, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:69:y:2010:i:3:p:658-665. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ecolecon .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.