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Extreme Heat Reduces Individual Happiness

Author

Listed:
  • FANGLIN CHEN

    (School of Government, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China)

  • XIN ZHANG

    (School of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China)

  • ZHONGFEI CHEN

    (School of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China)

Abstract

Using individual-level happiness data in Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and county-level temperature data, this study analyzes the impact of extreme high temperature on happiness. Results show that extreme heat reduces individuals’ happiness. Specifically, each additional day spent experiencing extreme temperatures resulted in a 0.005 unit decrease in happiness. Results remained robust after modifying the model specification and variable measures. Further analysis shows that extreme heat more strongly affects the low-income and nonair-conditioned groups. Results of the mechanism analysis showed that extreme high temperature mainly affects the individual’s happiness by reducing the individual’s income and health. Thus, the effects of extreme heat on happiness are gradually amplified, in turn exacerbating environmental inequality. This study analyzes the negative impact of climate change from the perspective of social welfare and reveals the internal mechanism of environmental inequality, thus providing a reference for policy formulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanglin Chen & Xin Zhang & Zhongfei Chen, 2024. "Extreme Heat Reduces Individual Happiness," Climate Change Economics (CCE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(02), pages 1-25, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ccexxx:v:15:y:2024:i:02:n:s2010007823400043
    DOI: 10.1142/S2010007823400043
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Extreme heat; environmental inequality; happiness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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