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For the Future of Our Grandchildren: Grandparenthood and Climate Change Concerns

Author

Listed:
  • Voorintholt, Lieke

    (University of Groningen)

  • van den Berg, Gerard J.

    (University of Groningen)

  • Soetevent, Adriaan R.

    (University of Groningen)

Abstract

Concerns about offspring’s life quality are often cited as a motivation for caring about climate change. This paper investigates the hypothesized causal effect of grandparenthood on climate change worries, using panel data surveys among British families. Specifically, we study whether becoming a grandparent increases these worries. We employ two different study designs to deal with endogeneity of grandparenthood. The assumptions required to identify causal effects differ and are non-nested. However, results based on the two approaches are remarkably congruent. We find no empirical support for a relationship between grandparental status and concerns about climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Voorintholt, Lieke & van den Berg, Gerard J. & Soetevent, Adriaan R., 2025. "For the Future of Our Grandchildren: Grandparenthood and Climate Change Concerns," IZA Discussion Papers 17795, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    offspring; intergenerational altruism; global warming; anticipation; future climate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects

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