Season 2025, Episode 92: Economic Impact of Climate Change on Wellbeing | How Extreme Heat Affects Happiness Worldwide
In this episode of SciBud, we delve into a groundbreaking study that examines the economic impacts of climate change through the lens of subjective wellbeing. Host Rowan guides us through research involving 1.67 million interviews across 160 countries, revealing how rising temperatures, particularly "high-temperature days," can significantly diminish our happiness—by about 0.5% for each additional hot day, akin to a substantial drop in GDP. This innovative study moves beyond traditional economic models by incorporating emotional and social factors, highlighting that lower-income countries are disproportionately affected by extreme heat. As we unpack this fascinating interplay between climate, economics, and personal life satisfaction, we emphasize the urgent need for policymakers to adopt a more nuanced approach to climate change that considers the human experience. Tune in for insights that will change how you think about climate impacts on everyday lives!