The School of Economics invites you to a Microeconometrics and Public Policy Working Group seminar by Valentina Duque (University of Sydney)

 Coal Use, Air Pollution, and Student Performance

Co-author: 

Michael Gilraine (New York University)

Abstract

Coal is both the primary source of global energy and of air pollution. This paper presents the first causal evidence of the impact of pollution due to coal power plant emissions on cognitive outcomes. Our approach combines rich longitudinal student data with a design leveraging year-to-year coal plant emissions, persistent wind patterns, and also plant closures. We find that every one-million megawatt hours of coal-fired power production decreases student performance in schools within ten kilometres by 0.02 standard deviations. Gas-red plants exhibit no such relationship. Our analysis indicates that declining coal use has affected student performance and test score inequality substantially.

Link to the seminar:  https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/84979219803?pwd=eWZDZWRzdWxacXZ1Z1Z0TnhyQ1Z1dz09 

Note: Please email the organiser for the passcode.