A0727
Title: Cognitive risks of climate change in the workforce: The impact of temperature and air quality
Authors: Chon-Kit Ao - National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan) [presenting]
Abstract: Previous studies have primarily focused on the adverse effects of temperature or air quality on physical health, but there has been limited research on their impact on cognition. Moreover, few studies have simultaneously examined the effects of temperature and air quality on cognitive function. This gap is addressed by employing a unique measure of cognition derived from the assessment of questionnaire quality completed by interviewers in household surveys. By comparing the quality of questionnaires completed by the same interviewers and utilizing exogenous variations in temperature and air quality on interview dates, it is found that higher temperatures negatively impact workers' cognitive performance, as evidenced by a decline in the quality of completed questionnaires. This negative effect is particularly pronounced in pre-scheduled interviews, which helps to mitigate concerns related to avoidance behavior. Additionally, the analysis reveals that the duration of interviews is not correlated with temperature or air quality in the context of an advanced economy.
