Going Viral: Public Attention and Environmental Action in the Amazon
Thematic axes
2 - Stewarding Forests, Oceans and Biodiversity
This study examines whether public attention and media coverage can drive local environmental actions and reduce ecological damage. Although forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon occur annually, in August 2019 they gained international prominence, triggering unprecedented public scrutiny. Using a difference-in-differences model, the authors compare active fires in Brazil with those in Peru and Bolivia, identifying a 22% reduction in fire outbreaks in Brazil, which prevented the emission of 24.8 million tons of CO₂. The findings highlight the role of public attention as a catalyst for local responses to environmental crises.
EPGE Brazilian School of Economics and Finance (FGV EPGE)
Researcher: Francisco Costa