Why Warm Countries Are Poorer
6 hours ago
- #geography
- #economic-development
- #climate-impact
- Societies closer to the equator tend to be poorer, with theories suggesting temperature, humidity, diseases, frost, race, historic underdevelopment, crops, and institutions as contributing factors.
- Higher temperatures reduce productivity, with each additional degree Celsius shrinking GDP per capita by 8.5%. Hotter climates also increase absenteeism, reduce exam performance, and worsen sleep.
- Humidity exacerbates warm temperatures, making it harder to cool down through sweat, which can make physical work nearly impossible.
- Diseases thrive in warm, humid environments, directly impacting health and economic productivity. Frost helps eliminate pathogens, benefiting colder regions.
- Mountains play a crucial role: people in equatorial regions often live at higher altitudes to avoid extreme heat and humidity, but this leads to higher transportation costs, less trade, and more conflict.
- Transportation costs in mountainous areas are significantly higher, reducing trade and wealth accumulation. This also leads to ethnic diversity and conflict, further impoverishing regions.
- Air conditioning is highlighted as a critical tool for development in warm climates, improving productivity and reducing disease.
- The article emphasizes actionable solutions over blame, suggesting investments in AC for low-lying areas and transportation infrastructure for mountainous regions.