Altruism and the Demand for Environmental Quality
December 13, 1999
David Popp
Department of Economics
The University of Kansas
213 Summerfield Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045-2113
tel: (785) 864-2868
fax: (785) 864-5270
dpopp@ukans.edu
Abstract
This paper asks whether individuals consider the value future generations
will receive from environmental quality when deciding what level of environmental
protection to provide. Using data on life expectancy, I develop two
tests for altruism towards future generations. One, a test for strong
altruism, assumes that individuals place no consideration on their own
self-interest when deciding to provide environmental quality. The
second, a test for weak altruism, combines an individualís concern for
both self-interest and the interest of future generations. Using
data from a Washington Post survey on environmental attitudes to implement
the test, evidence of weak altruism is found.