In many low- and middle-income countries, being LGBTQIA+ entails a double burden: discrimination compounded by economic precarity. Economists Bruno Ventelou and Erik Lamontagne reveal how this combination can undermine mental health, by cross-referencing global data on wellbeing, economic conditions, and the homophobic climate.
In 2024, a grim record was set: it was the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. The signs of climate upheaval are now visible to all, as global warming manifests itself in a rapid rise in extreme weather events. In theory, the solution is straightforward: we must stop burning fossil fuels. In practice, phasing out energy sources so firmly entrenched in contemporary societies is an immense challenge. To reduce CO₂ emissions, economists — trained in cost–benefit analysis — can help policymakers design strategies that are both effective and socially acceptable.