Understanding Exposure to Air Pollution
Jacob Kopas ( Senior Attorney from Columbia University), Erin York (Assistant Professor from Columbia University), S.P. Harish (Assistant Professor from College of William & Mary,), Victoria Shen (Assistant Professor from University of Virginia) and Johannes Urpelainen (Professor from Johns Hopkins University)
This study represents an important advance in social science knowledge on how the public forms its opinion on controversial environmental policy such as air pollution. The study is linking survey responses to geospatial data on air quality, and thereby test the effect of exposure to actual air pollution to public opinion.
The study is also testing the effect of giving survey respondents additional information about major sources of air pollution in their area: specifically, coal-fired power plants. As air pollution is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by many factors and meteorological conditions, specific information about the causes of air pollution may help solidify public opinion, and by extension, promote public accountability. Morsel collected 500 surveys in 110 wards across Lucknow Municipal Corporation of Uttar Pradesh.
Location: Uttar Pradesh
