Freakonomics Radio This Is Your Brain on Pollution (Ep. 472 Update)
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Sep 8, 2022 
Michael Greenstone, an economist at the University of Chicago specializing in pollution and climate change, delves into the hidden impacts of air pollution on cognition. He highlights alarming stats linking pollution with decreased mental performance, particularly in adults under 50, while weaving in humorous gameplay anecdotes. The conversation draws attention to the long-term toll of bad air, evidenced by case studies like China's, and urges urgent reforms to combat this silent threat to productivity and well-being.
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Economic Costs of Pollution
- Air pollution's economic costs are massive, exceeding $3 trillion annually, over 3% of global GDP.
- Economists are increasingly interested in pollution's cognitive impacts, which could further amplify these costs.
Clean Air Act's Impact
- The Clean Air Act of 1970 dramatically improved U.S. air quality, a bipartisan achievement.
- Michael Greenstone recalls how workers in Gary, Indiana, once needed two shirts daily due to heavy pollution, illustrating the Act's impact.
Peppered Moth Adaptation
- The peppered moth in the UK adapted to industrial pollution, with darker moths thriving in soot-covered areas.
- This microevolutionary tale, shared by Stefan Hiblick, demonstrates pollution's impact on ecosystems.