On the economic geography of climate change

Abstract

Climate change is a defining challenge of our times. The five papers collected in this special issue provide foundations to well-informed policymaking by addressing two main themes of the economic geography of climate change. First, it brings effects that are heterogeneous across space. Some regions of the globe will lose more than others and some may even be better off as a result. Second, humans will have to adapt in order to survive. We emphasize how the lack of mobility could contribute to worsening the socioeconomic costs of climate change. This issue also considers alternative margins of adjustment, such as fertility, specialization and trade.