Abstract
We analyze a growth model where the damage of pollution depends on population density and the character of pollution. From the steady state rates of change, in the social optimum, of a neoclassical and a semi-endogenous growth model respectively, we conclude that the less responsive the damage of pollution is to population density, the more likely is a development path with positive growth in consumption per capita and declining perceived pollution per capita. Non-awareness of the character of pollution may thus give suboptimal solutions. In particular, the commonly held view that pollution is a pure public bad may lead to growth-rate targets that are lower than optimal. Finally, we find that the character of pollution does not influence the transitional dynamics qualitatively.
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Eriksson, C., Zehaie, F. Population Density, Pollution and Growth. Environ Resource Econ 30, 465–484 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-004-5985-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-004-5985-z