nep-res New Economics Papers
on Resource Economics
Issue of 2026–04–13
two papers chosen by
Maximo Rossi, Universidad de la RepÃúºblica


  1. Dirty Air, Dirty Play: The Effect of Air Pollution on Sabotage in Tournaments By Hirsch, Michael; Grund, Christian
  2. When the Tail Wags the Dog: Climate Exposure and News Media Behavior in the Global South By Calacino, Anthony; Ahrenshop, Mats; Genovese, Federica; pring, hayley

  1. By: Hirsch, Michael (RWTH Aachen University); Grund, Christian (RWTH Aachen University)
    Abstract: In this study, we examine the influence of air pollution, measured by particulate matter concentration (PM_10 and PM_2.5), on sabotage in rank order tournaments. To achieve this, we use player-level data from German Soccer Bundesliga players between 2009 and 2024, which we link with hourly pollution values on the exact match location and kick-off time. This research design addresses key identification problems in estimating the effect of air pollution on non-health outcomes. Our results suggest that an increase in particulate matter concentration has a statistically significant effect on destructive efforts (i.e. competitive sabotage), measured in fouls committed by a player. If particulate matter pollution measured in PM_10 (PM_2.5) increases by 10 μg/m^3, the number of fouls committed increases by 0.6% (0.9%). We also find strong evidence that this effect is driven primarily by players from weaker teams (underdogs).
    Keywords: air pollution, sabotage, tournaments
    JEL: M5 Q53 L83 J83
    Date: 2026–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18512
  2. By: Calacino, Anthony (University of Oxford); Ahrenshop, Mats; Genovese, Federica (University of Oxford); pring, hayley
    Abstract: As climate change intensifies so does its salience and potential politicization in the news media. In line with asset-specific views of climate politics, we propose a framework to explain variation in climate reporting based on the interplay of local ecological risks from climate change and anticipated economic vulnerabilities linked to the energy transition away from fossil fuels. We argue that media responses to climate shocks depend on the relative presence of climate-vulnerable populations versus fossil-fuel stakeholders, and propose that different local configurations of asset-holders affect climate coverage and attribution in the media in different ways. In areas without a dominance of organized fossil fuel interests, ecological shocks generate more extensive media climate coverage and clearer links to fossil fuel emissions. By contrast, in local communities where carbon-intensive industries are very strongly embedded, climate coverage is dampened and attribution less frequent. We test these expectations using original media content data in cross-national and sub-national Global South contexts as well as elite interviews conducted in Brazil and Indonesia. Our findings show that fossil fuel presence crucially moderates both the volume and framing of climate reporting. The results highlight how carbon interests can constrain climate discourse at precisely the moments when public engagement with climate issues is most likely.
    Date: 2026–04–03
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:37juf_v1

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