Climate Induced Impacts on Early Life and Consequences
on Human Capital Development
Arturo Aguilar Marta Vicarelli
Department of Economics, ITAM University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Abstract
The costs associated to a warming planet might be vastly underestimated if impacts on human capital formation are not taken into account. Recently, a growing number of studies have started examining possible impacts and costs of weather shocks and climatic trends on health and education outcomes. This paper reviews existing empirical studies that analyze the effects of climate and weather factors on a selected group of human capital variables, as well as socioeconomic outcomes that could be related to human capital indicators. Emphasis is given to studies related to Mexico, whose geographic location, diversity of climates and exposure to natural disasters, make it a relevant case for analysis. Finally, we identify areas that require further research by comparing evidence of observed impacts in Mexico vis-à-vis countries that have similar climatic patterns and/or climatic projections.