Research

“Shifting Landscapes: The Impact of Agricultural Innovation on Deforestation” [PDF]

Abstract: This paper examines the effect of a new agricultural technology, namely genetically modified (GM) seeds, on deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Our empirical strategy leverages the heterogeneous effects that the introduction of GM soybean seeds had on agricultural productivity across areas based on soil and weather characteristics, and satellite data on land use. We find that the introduction of GM soy contributed to 7.4% of the total deforested area in the Brazilian Amazon between 2003 and 2010. We show that increases in soy productivity lead to changes in the local composition of land use as soy replaces existing activities, namely pastures for cattle grazing. This leads to a decrease in deforestation because soy cultivation is less land-intensive than cattle grazing. However, we also examine whether the reallocation of pastures elsewhere leads to deforestation. We find that pastures are displaced to areas connected by the road network, thereby causing deforestation.

“Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” with Ameet Morjaria

Abstract: The conservation of forests is a key element of global efforts to slow climate change. In this study, we focus on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which hosts the majority of the Congo Basin rainforest, the world’s second-largest such ecosystem. To study drivers of deforestation in the DRC, we compile a dataset that includes satellite imagery tracking deforestation, proprietary administrative data on mine openings and contracts, and geocoded information on conflicts. We employ a staggered adoption differences-in-differences design, leveraging variation in the timing of mine openings, to assess the impact of these openings on deforestation. The effect of mine openings on deforestation is ambiguous. On one hand, mines may shift labor allocation away from forest resource extraction to mineral exploitation, reducing deforestation. By contrast, an increase in local incomes and population due to mining activity may increase demand for land, increasing deforestation. Our preliminary findings indicate that the opening of mines leads to a decrease in deforestation, particularly in non-fire-related deforestation. 

"State Capacity and Environmental Protection" with Devis Decet

Abstract: Policies against deforestation are crucial for fighting climate change. This paper examines how the governance of environmental agencies affects the effectiveness of these policies. In the context of Brazil, we compile a novel dataset that integrates satellite land use data, administrative data on the environmental agency organization and on agents' career, and enforcement activities. With the findings of this paper, we aim to uncover how governance reforms influence enforcement capacity and shape farmers' land use decisions, contributing to our understanding of how state capacity affects environmental conservation. 

“Excluded Women: The Fall of Female Labor Force Participation in Post-Industrial Revolution England” with Laura Murphy and Myera Rashid

Abstract: We study women’s labor market participation in England between 1851 and 1911 using newly digitized census microdata. We document three novel facts. First, women’s labor force participation rate slightly decreased between 1851 and 1911, driven by a 40% decrease among married women. Secondly, examining synthetic cohorts reveals that the drop in married women’s labor force participation is driven by younger cohorts choosing not to join the workforce, rather than older cohorts exiting at increasing rates. Lastly, we observe that women were predominantly employed in the textile and domestic service sectors. Our theoretical model suggests that increasing societal barriers may have influenced married women’s labor market engagement over time.