Question

Climate change is expected to have a major impact on local weather patterns across the United States (and the world). Use a spatial equilibrium model for simple system of two cities to predict the effect of climate change on 1) A place where climate change lowers that amenity value of the local climate (call this place Miami) and 2) A place where climate change does not change the local amenity value (call this place Chicago). Which of the following best describes the prediction of your model?

A. Real estate prices in Miami will rise, real estate prices in Chicago will fall.
B. Real estate prices in Miami will fall, real estate prices in Chicago will fall.
C. Real estate prices in Miami will rise, real estate prices in Chicago will rise.
D. Real estate prices in Miami will fall, real estate prices in Chicago will rise.
E. None of the above.

Answer 1

D. Real estate prices in Miami will fall, real estate prices in Chicago will rise.

Step-by-step explanation:

Real estate prices in Miami will fall because according to the model, climate change will lower the amenity value of the local climate. This means that climate change will make the climate of Miami less desirable for potential residents, causing a drop in the price of the real estate of the city due to less demand.

Chicago on the other hand, will have the amenity level of its climate increased, and this will attract more potential residents who will drive up demand, causing Chicago's real estate prices to rise.