The Effect of Temperature on Suicide: A Meta-Analysis
| Author: | Bc. Daniel Bartušek |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2021 - summer |
| Leaders: | doc. PhDr. Zuzana Havránková Ph.D. |
| Consultants: | |
| Work type: | Bachelors |
| Language: | English |
| Pages: | 60 |
| Awards and prizes: | |
| Link: | https://ckis.cuni.cz:443/F/?func=direct&doc_number=002447995&local_base=CKS01&format=999 |
| Abstract: | In this thesis I investigate the empirical evidence on the relationship between temperature and suicide rates. The previous survey on the relationship suggested that a 1°C increase in temperature is associated with a 1% increase in suicide risk. An estimate of this magnitude would play a significant role in the computation of the social cost of carbon, a concept used to set climate-related regulations by policymakers around the world. I challenge this conclusion using novel, state-of-the-art meta-analysis methods. By expanding the dataset and correcting for publication bias I show that the effect of temperature on suicide rates is three times less than previously suggested, deeming the relationship economically insignificant. Moreover, I did not find any robust evidence for a specific study design that would systematically influence the magnitude of the estimated effect quantifying this relationship. |
