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Willingness to pay for a clear night sky: use of the contingent valuation method

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  • Stephanie Simpson
  • Brid Gleeson Hanna

Abstract

This article applies the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to the issue of night sky pollution. Light pollution decreases the ability to view a clear, unobstructed night sky. We administered a survey to the students of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to obtain estimates of Willingness To Pay (WTP) to improve night sky visibility and to prevent deterioration in visibility. This is the first CVM study that attempts to distinguish between these different WTPs. We find that students are willing to pay significantly more for a larger improvement in night sky conditions. We also find significant differences in WTP to improve versus prevent deterioration in night sky conditions.

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  • Stephanie Simpson & Brid Gleeson Hanna, 2010. "Willingness to pay for a clear night sky: use of the contingent valuation method," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(11), pages 1095-1103.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:17:y:2010:i:11:p:1095-1103
    DOI: 10.1080/00036840902817508
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jones, Benjamin A., 2018. "Measuring externalities of energy efficiency investments using subjective well-being data: The case of LED streetlights," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 18-32.
    3. Garces-Voisenat, Juan-Pedro & Mukherjee, Zinnia, 2016. "Paying for green energy: The case of the Chilean Patagonia," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 397-414.
    4. 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).
    5. Jones, Benjamin A., 2018. "Spillover health effects of energy efficiency investments: Quasi-experimental evidence from the Los Angeles LED streetlight program," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 283-299.
    6. Hyunki Hong & Hoyong Jung & Duol Kim, 2024. "The Value of an Apartment with Sunlight and a View: A Quasi-Experimental Analysis," Korean Economic Review, Korean Economic Association, vol. 40, pages 177-194.

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