Energy Saving May Kill: Evidence from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident
- (pp. 377-414)
Abstract
Following the Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan gradually shut down all its nuclear power plants, causing a countrywide power shortage. In response the government launched large-scale energy-saving campaigns to reduce electricity consumption. Exploiting the electricity-saving targets across regions and over time, we show that the campaigns significantly increased mortality, particularly during extremely hot days. The impact is primarily driven by people using less air conditioning, as encouraged by the government. Nonpecuniary incentives can explain most of the reduction in electricity consumption. Our findings suggest there exists a trade-off between climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.Citation
He, Guojun, and Takanao Tanaka. 2023. "Energy Saving May Kill: Evidence from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 15 (2): 377-414. DOI: 10.1257/app.20200505Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- L94 Electric Utilities
- L98 Industry Studies: Utilities and Transportation: Government Policy
- Q48 Energy: Government Policy
- Q54 Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming
- Q58 Environmental Economics: Government Policy
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