Neoclassical growth, the J curve for abatement, and the inverted U curve for pollution

Abstract

This paper reexamines the neoclassical environmental growth model of Forster to gain insights into the dynamic relationships among pollution, abatement effort, and economic development. Whereas the model has heretofore been used to examine steady-state levels of capital, consumption, and environmental quality, it also provides a theoretical basis for recent empirical research on J curves for abatement effort and inverted U curves for pollution. © 1995 Academic Press. All rights reserved.