At one time, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was known for its poor air quality. Local

Question

At one time, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was known for its poor air quality. Locals said that a man wearing a white shirt when he walked into the city would have a black shirt when he left it. Since that time, the city has greatly reduced its air and water pollution. As a result of cleaner air and water:

A. the value of the GDP increased in the year that the improvements were made but did not change in ensuing years.

B. the value of the GDP increased.

C. the standard of living of the citizens of Pittsburgh increased, even though the improvement in the environment was not reflected in its GDP.

D. the standard of living of the citizens of Pittsburgh did not change.

Explanation / Answer

Quality Air is a determinant of economic development since a country whose air quality is poor, has to abandon many of its development projects or has to bear significant abatement costs. Given that the region was highly polluted initially, there must have been rapid industrialization/urbanization so the GDP was high. But with pollution abatement measures being applied, GDP must have fallen or unchanged. But the quality of life would have definitely improved.

Hence option C is correct.

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