Pollution forcing families to move to wealthier, healthier areas
A recent study by Lancaster University Management School discovered that pollution levels influence households’ decisions to move within the United States. However, only wealthier households can afford to live in areas with better air quality.
The research, published in Environmental and Resource Economics, analyzed migration data from 2010 to 2014 provided by the US Internal Revenue Service. It found that environmental quality plays a significant role in where households choose to relocate, along with factors like job opportunities and amenities.
The study revealed that households with higher incomes tend to move to cleaner, healthier areas that are more expensive, while lower-income families end up in more polluted areas. This inequality in exposure to pollution highlights the importance of considering both environmental quality and income levels in decisions about where to live.
The researchers also found a correlation between lower-income areas and the presence of potentially polluting firms, indicating a cycle where firms place polluting facilities in disadvantaged communities. Wealthier households have the means to avoid these negative impacts by relocating to cleaner areas.
To address this issue, it is essential to tackle both environmental justice and economic inequality to create more sustainable communities for all.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.