Can education be good for both growth and the environment?

Abstract

We develop an overlapping generations model of growth and the environment with public policy on education. Beyond the traditional mechanisms through which knowledge, growth and the environment interplay, we stress out the role played by education on environmental awareness. Assuming first that environmental awareness is constant, we show the existence of a balanced growth path along which environmental quality increases continually. Then, if education enhances environmental awareness, the equilibrium properties are modi?ed: the economy can reach a steady state or converge to an asymptotic balanced growth path. Therefore, education does not necessarily promote sustained and sustainable growth.overlapping generations, public education, environmental maintenance, green awareness, sustainable growth