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A Ricardian analysis of US and Canadian farmland

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Abstract

In this analysis, we undertake a comparative Ricardian analysis of agriculture between Canada and the United States. We find that the climate responses of the two countries are similar but statistically different despite the fact that the two countries are neighbors. Comparing the marginal impacts of climate change, we find that Canadian agriculture is unaffected by warmer temperatures but would benefit from more precipitation. US farms are much more sensitive to higher temperatures and benefit relatively less from increased precipitation. These marginal results were anticipated given that Canadian farms are generally cooler and drier than American farms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale FES, Yale University, 230 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

    Robert Mendelsohn

  2. Privy Council Office, 85 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A OA3, Canada

    Michelle Reinsborough

Authors
  1. Robert Mendelsohn
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  2. Michelle Reinsborough
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Correspondence to Robert Mendelsohn.

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Mendelsohn, R., Reinsborough, M. A Ricardian analysis of US and Canadian farmland. Climatic Change 81, 9–17 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9138-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9138-y

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