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Natural Disasters, Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in China―An Empirical Study Using Provincial Panel Data

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  • Ji Guo

    (Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 10044, China
    School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Hui Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Xianhua Wu

    (Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 10044, China
    School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Jiong Gu

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Shunfeng Song

    (Department of Economics, College of Business, University of Nevada, Reno 89557, NV, USA
    School of Economics and Management, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China)

  • Yinshan Tang

    (Henley Business School, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UD, UK)

Abstract

Using a newly developed integrated indicator system with entropy weighting, we analyzed the panel data of 577 recorded disasters in 30 provinces of China from 1985–2011 to identify their links with the subsequent economic growth. Meteorological disasters promote economic growth through human capital instead of physical capital. Geological disasters did not trigger local economic growth from 1999–2011. Generally, natural disasters overall had no significant impact on economic growth from 1985–1998. Thus, human capital reinvestment should be the aim in managing recoveries, and it should be used to regenerate the local economy based on long-term sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji Guo & Hui Liu & Xianhua Wu & Jiong Gu & Shunfeng Song & Yinshan Tang, 2015. "Natural Disasters, Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in China―An Empirical Study Using Provincial Panel Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:12:p:15847-16800:d:60912
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    5. Yehua Dennis Wei, 2016. "Towards Equitable and Sustainable Urban Space: Introduction to Special Issue on “Urban Land and Sustainable Development”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-9, August.
    6. Adjei-Mantey, Kwame & Adusah-Poku, Frank, 2019. "Natural disasters and economic growth in Africa," MPRA Paper 95588, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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