Working paper
Climate Change Volatility and Crop Choices
Giacomo De Giorgi Luigi Pistaferri
March 2013 Climate Change Volatility and Crop Choices!
Giacomo De Giorgiy Luigi Pistaferriz
First version: May 1, 2012 This version: March 6, 2013
Abstract
Climate change has generated much attention. Upward trends in average temperature are well docu- mented facts. Relatively less studies is the impact of the increase in climate volatility, including weather extreme events, on behavior. In standard models with uncertainty or risk, precautionary behavior, and lack of formal insurance, agents self-insure by building up assets, or engaging in other type of behavior designed to reduce to impact of risk on outcomes. The goal of our project is to look at the impact of increasing climate volatility on choices made by farmers around the world, and in particular in developing countries. In this note we describe the data used and provide some descriptive evi- dence on rainfall and temperature volatility and on the relation between temperature volatility and crops production, cultivated land and crops diversity.