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Environment, Well-Being, and Experienced Preference

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  • Welsch, Heinz
  • Ferreira, Susana

Abstract

Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the use of subjective well-being data in environmental economics. This article discusses the conceptual underpinnings of using such data as a tool for preference elicitation and non-market valuation. Given the connection of those data to the notion of experienced utility, we refer to this approach as the experienced preference method and discuss recent methodological advances and applications of the approach to subject areas not previously reviewed. In addition, we discuss insights concerning environmental behavior that can be gained with the help of subjective well-being data.

Suggested Citation

  • Welsch, Heinz & Ferreira, Susana, 2014. "Environment, Well-Being, and Experienced Preference," International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics, now publishers, vol. 7(3-4), pages 205-239, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:now:jirere:101.00000061
    DOI: 10.1561/101.00000061
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-market valuation; Environmental behavior; Experienced utility; Happiness; Life satisfaction; Subjective well-being;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • B4 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology

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