Estimating the Economic Impact of Climate Change on the Freshwater Sportsfisheries of the Northeastern U.S.

Abstract

This study links models of global climate circulation, ecology, and economic valuation (hedonic travel cost and random utility models) to value the impact of global warming on freshwater sportfishing in the northeastern United States. An origin-specific linear random utility model (RUM) is introduced. The results of the RUM are shown to be comparable to those of a hedonic travel cost model. A doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide is predicted to generate between a $4.6 million loss and a$20.5 million net benefit for the Northeast, depending on the climate scenario.