Applying_VVG the_AT STIRPAT_NN1 model_NN1 in_II a_AT1 post-Fordist_JJ landscape_NN1 :_: Can_VM a_AT1 traditional_JJ econometric_JJ model_NN1 work_NN1 at_II the_AT local_JJ level_NN1 ?_? 
Introduction_NN1 The_AT degree_NN1 to_II which_DDQ humans_NN2 are_VBR responsible_JJ for_IF changes_NN2 in_II the_AT environment_NN1 has_VHZ now_RT become_VV0 one_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT pressing_JJ questions_NN2 in_II academic_JJ research_NN1 ._. 
To_II what_DDQ degree_NN1 is_VBZ anthropogenic_JJ activity_NN1 forcing_VVG climate_NN1 change_NN1 ?_? 
What_DDQ human_JJ activities_NN2 are_VBR primary_JJ genitors_NN2 of_IO environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 ,_, and_CC to_II what_DDQ magnitude_NN1 are_VBR they_PPHS2 liable_JJ ?_? 
Out_II21 of_II22 this_DD1 decades-long_JJ debate_NN1 ,_, the_AT IPAT_NN1 model_NN1 has_VHZ emerged_VVN as_II a_AT1 primary_JJ method_NN1 for_IF conceptualizing_VVG the_AT nature_NN1 of_IO relationships_NN2 between_II people_NN and_CC their_APPGE environment_NN1 ._. 
Borne_VVN out_II21 of_II22 a_AT1 debate_NN1 over_II the_AT relationships_NN2 between_II consumption_NN1 ,_, population_NN1 ,_, and_CC environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 ,_, the_AT IPAT_NN1 model_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN applied_VVN in_II a_AT1 multitude_NN1 of_IO empirical_JJ settings_NN2 ._. 
Most_RGT recently_RR ,_, scholars_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN applying_VVG the_AT STIRPAT_NN1 model_NN1 --_NN1 a_AT1 stochastic_JJ transformation_NN1 of_IO the_AT IPAT_NN1 model_NN1 --_NN1 in_II order_NN1 to_TO econometrically_RR test_VVI the_AT theoretical_JJ model_NN1 ._. 
Numerous_JJ studies_NN2 have_VH0 shown_VVN that_CST the_AT relationships_NN2 posited_VVD by_II the_AT model_NN1 are_VBR statistically_RR significant_JJ and_CC positive_JJ determinants_NN2 of_IO environmental_JJ impact_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 research_NN1 applies_VVZ the_AT STIRPAT_NN1 model_NN1 at_II the_AT county_NN1 level_NN1 in_II the_AT southeastern_JJ US_NP1 ._. 
Using_VVG county-level_JJ carbon_NN1 dioxide_NN1 emissions_NN2 as_II the_AT dependent_JJ variable_NN1 ,_, the_AT results_NN2 of_IO the_AT regressions_NN2 find_VV0 that_CST the_AT traditional_JJ social_JJ and_CC economic_JJ metrics_NN2 used_VVN in_II the_AT STIRPAT_NN1 model_NN1 present_NN1 mixed_VVD results_NN2 ,_, complicating_JJ sign_NN1 of_IO the_AT determinants_NN2 as_CSA posited_VVN by_II the_AT IPAT_NN1 identity_NN1 model_NN1 ._. 
Population_NN1 is_VBZ statistically_RR significant_JJ ,_, positive_JJ ,_, and_CC a_AT1 unit-elastic_JJ determinant_NN1 of_IO environmental_JJ impact_NN1 ,_, as_CSA expected_VVN from_II the_AT IPAT_NN1 identity_NN1 model_NN1 's_GE assumptions_NN2 ._. 
Affluence_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ either_RR a_AT1 negative_JJ determinant_NN1 or_CC not_XX significant_JJ in_II the_AT analysis_NN1 ,_, depending_II21 on_II22 the_AT model_NN1 specification_NN1 and_CC dependent_JJ variable_NN1 ._. 
Furthermore_RR ,_, other_JJ measures_NN2 broadly_RR labeled_VVD as_RG 'technology'_JJ components_NN2 --_JJ variables_NN2 intended_VVD to_TO capture_VVI the_AT landscape_NN1 of_IO development_NN1 and_CC manufacturing_NN1 characteristic_NN1 of_IO the_AT southeastern_JJ US_NP1 --_NN1 illustrated_VVD significance_NN1 in_II a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO different_JJ models_NN2 employed_VVN here_RL ._. 
These_DD2 results_NN2 illustrate_VV0 that_CST when_CS applying_VVG the_AT model_NN1 at_II a_AT1 local_JJ level_NN1 ,_, the_AT relationship_NN1 between_II humans_NN2 and_CC environment_NN1 becomes_VVZ more_RGR complex_JJ ,_, and_CC that_DD1 'affluence'_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 amalgamation_NN1 of_IO disparate_JJ economic_JJ components_NN2 which_DDQ exert_VV0 force_NN1 on_II the_AT environment_NN1 in_II differential_JJ ways_NN2 ._. 
Background_NN1 What_DDQ role_NN1 do_VD0 demography_NN1 and_CC population_NN1 play_NN1 in_II an_AT1 increasingly_RR polluted_JJ planet_NN1 ?_? 
Are_VBR wealthy_JJ places_NN2 responsible_JJ for_IF increased_JJ stress_NN1 on_II the_AT global_JJ environment_NN1 ,_, or_CC is_VBZ it_PPH1 runaway_JJ growth_NN1 of_IO populated_JJ places_NN2 ?_? 
Initially_RR put_VVN forth_RR by_II Ehrlich_NP1 and_CC Holdren_NP1 ,_, and_CC modified_VVD a_AT1 multitude_NN1 of_IO times_NNT2 in_II the_AT decades_NNT2 since_CS ,_, the_AT IPAT_NN1 model_NN1 attempts_NN2 to_TO answer_VVI this_DD1 question_NN1 ._. 
Coefficients_NN2 in_II this_DD1 model_NN1 should_VM be_VBI interpreted_VVN as_CSA elasticities_NN2 ,_, as_CSA they_PPHS2 are_VBR akin_JJ to_II other_JJ elasticity_NN1 research_NN1 in_II econometrics_NN1 ._. 
Coefficients_NN2 that_CST are_VBR at_II or_CC significantly_RR close_RR to_II 1.0_MC are_VBR considered_VVN to_TO be_VBI "_" unit_NN1 elastic_NN1 "_" ,_, the_AT model_NN1 is_VBZ illustrating_VVG a_AT1 proportional_JJ relationship_NN1 between_II input_NN1 and_CC output_NN1 ._. 
Coefficients_NN2 greater_JJR than_CSN 1.0_MC illustrate_VV0 an_AT1 elastic_JJ relationship_NN1 ,_, where_CS greater_JJR volumes_NN2 of_IO input_NN1 result_NN1 in_II proportionally_RR greater_JJR volumes_NN2 of_IO output_NN1 ._. 
Typical_JJ STIRPAT_NN1 research_NN1 primarily_RR focuses_VVZ on_II modeling_VVG population_NN1 and_CC affluence_NN1 ,_, as_CSA there_EX is_VBZ little_DA1 agreement_NN1 about_II what_DDQ constitutes_VVZ technology_NN1 and_CC "_" no_AT single_JJ operational_JJ measure_NN1 of_IO T_ZZ1 that_CST is_VBZ free_JJ of_IO controversy_NN1 "_" ._. 
In_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 being_VBG very_RG difficult_JJ to_TO define_VVI and_CC transformed_VVN into_II a_AT1 testable_JJ metric_JJ ,_, technology_NN1 --_JJ unlike_JJ population_NN1 and_CC affluence_NN1 --_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX so_RG obviously_RR a_AT1 positive_JJ correlate_NN1 of_IO environmental_JJ impact_NN1 ._. 
While_CS the_AT original_JJ intent_NN1 of_IO the_AT model_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO illustrate_VVI that_CST there_EX are_VBR environmental_JJ consequences_NN2 to_TO be_VBI paid_VVN for_IF the_AT process_NN1 of_IO industrialization_NN1 ,_, critics_NN2 argue_VV0 that_CST this_DD1 logic_NN1 fails_VVZ to_TO take_VVI into_II account_NN1 "_" green_JJ "_" technologies_NN2 and_CC the_AT multitude_NN1 of_IO complex_JJ factors_NN2 that_CST are_VBR bound_VVN up_RP in_II the_AT overly-simplistic_JJ "_" technology_NN1 "_" ._. 
In_RR21 short_RR22 ,_, there_EX are_VBR almost_RR an_AT1 infinite_JJ number_NN1 of_IO ways_NN2 to_TO conceive_VVI of_IO technology_NN1 ,_, making_VVG it_PPH1 difficult_JJ to_TO treat_VVI it_PPH1 as_II an_AT1 independent_JJ variable_NN1 ._. 
Treating_VVG the_AT residuals_NN2 as_II a_AT1 catch-all_JJ term_NN1 for_IF "_" technology_NN1 "_" is_VBZ certainly_RR a_AT1 potential_JJ avenue_NN1 to_TO work_VVI around_RP this_DD1 issue_NN1 --_NN1 as_CSA some_DD scholars_NN2 have_VH0 done_VDN --_JJ but_CCB that_DD1 approach_NN1 leaves_VVZ a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO other_JJ unobserved_JJ factors_NN2 embedded_VVN in_II the_AT residual_JJ as_CSA attributed_VVN to_II technology_NN1 ._. 
In_II order_NN1 to_TO work_VVI around_RP this_DD1 modeling_NN1 quagmire_NN1 ,_, many_DA2 analyses_NN2 simply_RR narrow_VV0 the_AT focus_NN1 and_CC test_VV0 the_AT signal_NN1 strength_NN1 population_NN1 and_CC affluence_NN1 variables_NN2 ._. 
Similarly_RR ,_, the_AT affluence_NN1 term_NN1 comes_VVZ under_II significant_JJ scrutiny_NN1 in_II its_APPGE role_NN1 as_II a_AT1 positive_JJ driver_NN1 of_IO environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX only_RR is_VBZ it_PPH1 difficult_JJ to_TO define_VVI affluence_NN1 ,_, but_CCB ecological_JJ modernization_NN1 theory_NN1 (_( EMT_NP1 )_) also_RR posits_VVZ that_CST the_AT relationship_NN1 between_II economy_NN1 and_CC environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 is_VBZ non-linear_JJ ._. 
As_II a_AT1 take-off_NN1 on_II Simon_NP1 Kuznets_NP1 '_GE theory_NN1 on_II wealth_NN1 and_CC inequality_NN1 ,_, EMT_NP1 argues_VVZ that_CST this_DD1 non-linearity_NN1 manifests_VVZ itself_PPX1 in_II the_AT existence_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 environmental_JJ Kuznets_NN2 curve_VV0 ,_, an_AT1 inverted_JJ U-shaped_JJ curve_NN1 that_CST describes_VVZ the_AT relationship_NN1 between_II wealth_NN1 and_CC environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 as_CSA having_VHG a_AT1 "_" turning_JJ point_NN1 "_" ,_, where_RRQ very_RG wealthy_JJ economies_NN2 begin_VV0 to_TO see_VVI improvement_NN1 in_II the_AT environmental_JJ condition_NN1 ._. 
Environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 in_II this_DD1 scenario_NN1 is_VBZ only_RR initially_RR a_AT1 necessary_JJ byproduct_NN1 of_IO increasing_JJ industrialization_NN1 ._. 
After_CS a_AT1 significant_JJ period_NN1 of_IO development_NN1 and_CC accumulation_NN1 ,_, sufficient_JJ marginal_JJ wealth_NN1 is_VBZ generated_VVN to_TO initiate_VVI the_AT process_NN1 of_IO improvement_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 idea_NN1 has_VHZ generated_VVN a_AT1 great_JJ deal_NN1 of_IO debate_NN1 ._. 
Critics_NN2 of_IO the_AT EKC_NN1 argue_VV0 that_CST empirical_JJ estimation_NN1 methods_NN2 are_VBR inadequate_JJ for_IF forecasting_VVG human-environment_JJ relations_NN2 ,_, where_CS the_AT consequences_NN2 for_IF committing_VVG a_AT1 Type_NN1 1_MC1 error_NN1 are_VBR potentially_RR disastrous_JJ ._. 
Theoretically_RR speaking_VVG ,_, critics_NN2 argue_VV0 that_CST the_AT logic_NN1 relies_VVZ upon_II dangerous_JJ utopian_JJ assumptions_NN2 of_IO unlimited_JJ growth_NN1 and_CC consumption_NN1 ;_; if_CS indeed_RR a_AT1 Kuznets-type_JJ relationship_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX exist_VVI ,_, the_AT level_NN1 of_IO degradation_NN1 may_VM be_VBI high_JJ enough_RR that_CST we_PPIS2 have_VH0 passed_VVN a_AT1 threshold_NN1 of_IO no_AT return_NN1 ._. 
Additionally_RR ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 an_AT1 inflection_NN1 point_NN1 on_II the_AT curve_NN1 does_VDZ exist_VVI ,_, it_PPH1 could_VM potentially_RR be_VBI at_II a_AT1 high_JJ enough_RR level_JJ where_CS environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 might_VM then_RT be_VBI too_RG costly_JJ to_TO conceivably_RR make_VVI any_DD improvement_NN1 ._. 
In_II this_DD1 latter_DA scenario_NN1 ,_, the_AT investments_NN2 expected_VVN in_II a_AT1 transitioning_JJ economy_NN1 which_DDQ would_VM go_VVI towards_II improving_VVG the_AT environmental_JJ condition_NN1 are_VBR inadequate_JJ and_CC do_VD0 little_RR to_TO ameliorate_VVI the_AT problem_NN1 ._. 
The_AT estimation_NN1 methods_NN2 for_IF detecting_VVG EKC_NN1 relationships_NN2 thus_RR fail_VV0 to_TO address_VVI these_DD2 potential_JJ non-linearities_NN2 ,_, thresholds_NN2 ,_, and_CC feedback_NN1 loops_NN2 present_VV0 in_II physical-environmental_JJ processes_NN2 ._. 
Empirically_RR ,_, the_AT EKC_NN1 is_VBZ estimated_VVN by_II adding_VVG a_AT1 quadratic_JJ (_( ln&lsqb;A2&rsqb;_FO )_) term_NN1 for_IF affluence_NN1 to_II the_AT model_NN1 ;_; if_CS an_AT1 EKC-type_JJ relationship_NN1 between_II wealth_NN1 and_CC environmental_JJ degradation_NN1 is_VBZ present_JJ ,_, the_AT affluence_NN1 term_NN1 will_VM be_VBI positive_JJ and_CC significant_JJ ,_, while_CS the_AT quadratic_JJ term_NN1 will_VM be_VBI negative_JJ and_CC significant_JJ ._. 
Naturally_RR ,_, the_AT inclusion_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 kind_NN1 of_IO term_NN1 leads_VVZ to_II rigorous_JJ debate_NN1 about_II the_AT proper_JJ econometric_JJ specification_NN1 ,_, and_CC therefore_RR a_AT1 de_JJ21 facto_JJ22 political_JJ argument_NN1 based_VVN on_II methodological_JJ choice_NN1 ._. 
Applying_VVG the_AT model_NN1 at_II the_AT local_JJ level_NN1 A_ZZ1 question_NN1 that_CST plagues_NN2 IPAT_VV0 research_NN1 is_VBZ whether_CSW31 or_CSW32 not_CSW33 the_AT model_NN1 scales_NN2 ._. 
Does_VDZ it_PPH1 describe_VVI relations_NN2 at_II all_DB levels_NN2 ,_, or_CC merely_RR at_II the_AT large_JJ scales_NN2 of_IO analysis_NN1 ,_, where_CS most_DAT IPAT_VV0 studies_NN2 have_VH0 taken_VVN place_NN1 ?_? 
Taken_VVN to_II its_APPGE logical_JJ extreme_JJ ,_, can_VM IPAT_VVI be_VBI applied_VVN to_II the_AT individual_NN1 or_CC household_NN1 level_NN1 ?_? 
Although_CS individuals_NN2 certainly_RR possess_VV0 the_AT ability_NN1 to_TO effect_VVI behavioral_JJ changes_NN2 that_CST positively_RR impact_VV0 the_AT environment_NN1 ,_, there_EX are_VBR many_DA2 economic_JJ machinations_NN2 that_CST make_VV0 these_DD2 micro-scales_NN2 of_IO analysis_NN1 less_RGR palatable_JJ for_IF empirical_JJ research_NN1 ._. 
At_II larger_JJR scales_NN2 of_IO analysis_NN1 ,_, greater_JJR numbers_NN2 of_IO economic_JJ processes_NN2 become_VV0 endogenous_JJ ,_, as_CSA more_DAR and_CC more_RGR economic_JJ activities_NN2 are_VBR "_" included_VVN "_" in_II each_DD1 unit_NN1 i_ZZ1 ._. 
For_IF these_DD2 reasons_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC along_II21 with_II22 more_RGR readily_RR available_JJ data_NN at_II bigger_JJR scales_NN2 --_JJ most_RGT empirical_JJ work_NN1 has_VHZ focused_VVN on_II variance_NN1 between_II nation-states_NN2 ,_, where_CS processes_NN2 can_VM be_VBI "_" containerized_JJ "_" ._. 
This_DD1 final_JJ question_NN1 about_II scale_NN1 is_VBZ germane_JJ to_II this_DD1 research_NN1 ,_, and_CC represents_VVZ the_AT principal_JJ gap_NN1 in_II the_AT literature_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ hoped_VVN this_DD1 research_NN1 will_VM address_VVI ._. 
Economic_JJ geographers_NN2 have_VH0 paid_VVN considerable_JJ attention_NN1 to_II the_AT ways_NN2 that_CST economic_JJ processes_NN2 operate_VV0 at_II multiple_JJ scales_NN2 ._. 
Chief_NN1 among_II these_DD2 concerns_NN2 are_VBR the_AT ways_NN2 in_II which_DDQ economies_NN2 undergo_VV0 change_NN1 and_CC restructure_VV0 internally_RR ._. 
While_CS the_AT US_NP1 has_VHZ undergone_VVN several_DA2 'regional_JJ shifts_NN2 '_GE --_NN1 for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, the_AT increasing_JJ importance_NN1 of_IO the_AT Midwest_NP1 to_TO supply_VVI eastern_JJ production_NN1 regions_NN2 ,_, aerospace_NN1 and_CC defense_NN1 industries_NN2 in_II California_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT sunbelt_NN1 migration_NN1 of_IO northeastern_JJ manufacturing_NN1 firms_NN2 --_NN1 it_PPH1 is_VBZ this_DD1 latter_DA that_CST has_VHZ had_VHN the_AT most_RGT profound_JJ impact_NN1 on_II the_AT overall_JJ geography_NN1 of_IO the_AT US_NP1 economy_NN1 ._. 
Research_NN1 using_VVG the_AT nation-state_NN1 as_II the_AT unit_NN1 of_IO analysis_NN1 treats_VVZ this_DD1 great_JJ shift_NN1 as_CSA unobserved_JJ heterogeneity_NN1 ,_, thus_RR potentially_RR ignoring_VVG critical_JJ changes_NN2 in_II the_AT environment_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 particular_JJ region_NN1 ._. 
Analysis_NN1 at_II local_JJ level_NN1 theoretically_RR offers_VVZ relief_NN1 to_II this_DD1 issue_NN1 ._. 
Methods_NN2 and_CC data_NN The_AT study_NN1 area_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 nine-state_JJ area_NN1 defined_VVN as_II the_AT Southeastern_JJ United_NP1 States_NP1 ,_, including_II the_AT states_NN2 of_IO Arkansas_NP1 ,_, Louisiana_NP1 ,_, Mississippi_NP1 ,_, Alabama_NP1 ,_, Georgia_NP1 ,_, Florida_NP1 ,_, South_NP1 Carolina_NP1 ,_, North_ND1 Carolina_NP1 ,_, and_CC Tennessee_NP1 ._. 
Counties_NN2 are_VBR the_AT unit_NN1 of_IO analysis_NN1 in_II this_DD1 research_NN1 ,_, and_CC there_EX are_VBR 755_MC counties_NN2 in_II the_AT study_NN1 area_NN1 ._. 
While_CS there_EX are_VBR varying_JJ definitions_NN2 over_II what_DDQ constitutes_VVZ "_" the_AT South_ND1 "_" ,_, this_DD1 seems_VVZ to_TO approximate_VVI the_AT sub-region_NN1 according_II21 to_II22 very_RG general_JJ definitions_NN2 ,_, particularly_RR as_CSA they_PPHS2 relate_VV0 to_II zones_NN2 of_IO recent_JJ economic_JJ restructuring_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO recent_JJ economic_JJ restructuring_NN1 ,_, the_AT US_NP1 Southeast_ND1 offers_VVZ a_AT1 compelling_JJ case_NN1 study_NN1 in_II estimating_VVG the_AT magnitude_NN1 of_IO human-environment_JJ relations_NN2 ._. 
The_AT shift_NN1 in_II manufacturing_NN1 and_CC skilled_JJ ,_, blue-collar_JJ labor_NN1 from_II the_AT urban_JJ northeast_ND1 to_II the_AT sunbelt_NN1 --_NN1 both_RR the_AT southeastern_JJ and_CC the_AT southwestern_JJ US_NP1 --_NN1 has_VHZ drastically_RR changed_VVN the_AT landscape_NN1 of_IO the_AT US_NP1 industrial_JJ economy_NN1 ._. 
Along_II21 with_II22 this_DD1 great_JJ restructuring_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 new_JJ spatial_JJ division_NN1 of_IO labor_NN1 comes_VVZ a_AT1 breakdown_NN1 in_II traditional_JJ distinctions_NN2 in_II industrial_JJ location_NN1 and_CC economic_JJ geography_NN1 ._. 
The_AT continual_JJ search_NN1 for_IF lower_JJR costs_NN2 and_CC operating_VVG expenses_NN2 by_II manufacturing_NN1 firms_NN2 has_VHZ complicated_VVN the_AT notion_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 urban_JJ node_NN1 as_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO the_AT manufacturing_NN1 hierarchy_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX only_RR are_VBR heavy-industry_JJ firms_NN2 moving_VVG from_II the_AT rustbelt_NN1 areas_NN2 of_IO the_AT north_ND1 to_II the_AT sunbelt_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 are_VBR also_RR seeking_VVG out_RP what_DDQ are_VBR non-traditional_JJ locations_NN2 in_II these_DD2 new_JJ areas_NN2 ._. 
In_RR21 short_RR22 ,_, many_DA2 types_NN2 of_IO sites_NN2 which_DDQ contribute_VV0 to_II degradation_NN1 are_VBR more_RGR often_RR found_VVN in_II areas_NN2 that_CST are_VBR atypical_JJ ._. 
Applying_VVG the_AT IPAT_NN1 model_NN1 in_II a_AT1 region_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ been_VBN subjected_VVN to_II a_AT1 tremendous_JJ influx_NN1 of_IO employment_NN1 and_CC industry_NN1 will_VM elucidate_VVI relationships_NN2 between_II economy_NN1 and_CC environment_NN1 that_CST are_VBR not_XX found_VVN elsewhere_RL ._. 
Results_NN2 and_CC discussion_NN1 The_AT results_NN2 of_IO the_AT regression_NN1 are_VBR presented_VVN in_II &lsqb;_( Table_NN1 1_MC1 &rsqb;_) ,_, &lsqb;_( Table_NN1 2_MC &rsqb;_) and_CC &lsqb;_( Table_NN1 3_MC &rsqb;_) ._. 
Because_CS both_DB2 spatial_JJ dependency_NN1 and_CC heteroscedasticity_NN1 are_VBR apparent_JJ in_II the_AT error_NN1 terms_NN2 ,_, results_NN2 for_IF an_AT1 OLS_NN2 regression_NN1 with_IW White_NP1 's_GE robust_JJ standard_JJ errors_NN2 are_VBR provided_VVN in_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 the_AT spatial-lag_JJ model_NN1 specified_VVN in_II the_AT methodology_NN1 ._. 
The_AT White_JJ procedure_NN1 produces_VVZ an_AT1 adjusted_JJ standard_JJ error_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ consistent_JJ and_CC unbiased_JJ in_II a_AT1 regression_NN1 with_IW heteroscedasticity_NN1 in_II the_AT disturbance_NN1 term_NN1 ;_; failing_VVG to_TO make_VVI this_DD1 adjustment_NN1 may_VM produce_VVI biased_JJ standard_JJ errors_NN2 ,_, and_CC by_II extension_NN1 t-scores_NN2 that_CST indicate_VV0 an_AT1 erroneously_RR significant_JJ result_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 were_VBDR run_VVN as_CSA separate_JJ procedures_NN2 for_IF each_DD1 model_NN1 because_CS no_AT procedure_NN1 exists_VVZ to_TO account_VVI for_IF producing_VVG both_RR a_AT1 spatial-lag_JJ regression_NN1 and_CC White_NP1 's_GE consistent_JJ standard_JJ errors_NN2 under_II conditions_NN2 of_IO heteroscedasticity_NN1 ._. 
Note_VV0 that_CST in_RR21 general_RR22 there_EX are_VBR no_AT material_NN1 or_CC substantive_JJ differences_NN2 between_II the_AT OLS_NP2 models_NN2 and_CC the_AT spatially-lagged_JJ models_NN2 in_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 the_AT significance_NN1 and_CC sign_NN1 of_IO each_DD1 variable_NN1 ._. 
Conclusions_NN2 This_DD1 research_NN1 uses_VVZ the_AT STIRPAT_NN1 framework_NN1 to_TO model_VVI social_JJ and_CC economic_JJ relationships_NN2 with_IW the_AT environment_NN1 at_II the_AT local_JJ level_NN1 ._. 
Population_NN1 and_CC technology_NN1 proxy_NN1 variables_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 urbanization_NN1 and_CC the_AT density_NN1 of_IO manufacturing_NN1 employment_NN1 show_VV0 a_AT1 positive_JJ and_CC statistically_RR significant_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW carbon_NN1 output_NN1 ._. 
Substantively_RR speaking_VVG ,_, the_AT population_NN1 variables_NN2 are_VBR unit_NN1 elastic_NN1 --_NN1 an_AT1 increase_NN1 in_II one_MC1 unit_NN1 of_IO population_NN1 indicates_VVZ a_AT1 proportional_JJ increase_NN1 in_II environmental_JJ impact_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ in_II agreement_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 host_NN1 of_IO other_JJ research_NN1 on_II ecological_JJ elasticities_NN2 ._. 
Only_JJ Cramer_NN1 found_VVD a_AT1 scale_NN1 factor_NN1 significantly_RR less_DAR than_CSN unity_NN1 ._. 
At_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, measures_NN2 of_IO affluence_NN1 and_CC income_NN1 in_II the_AT American_JJ southeast_ND1 provide_VV0 a_AT1 much_RR more_RGR muddled_JJ picture_NN1 ._. 
Although_CS income_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 significant_JJ negative_JJ determinant_NN1 for_IF both_DB2 industrial_JJ and_CC residential_JJ CO2_FO ,_, indicating_VVG that_CST the_AT sources_NN2 of_IO carbon_NN1 are_VBR stronger_JJR in_II less_RGR affluent_JJ and_CC poorer_JJR areas_NN2 ,_, these_DD2 results_NN2 should_VM ultimately_RR be_VBI read_VVN as_CSA inconclusive_JJ ._. 
Further_JJR work_NN1 is_VBZ necessary_JJ to_TO separate_VVI wealth-generated_JJ relationships_NN2 from_II other_JJ processes_NN2 unobserved_JJ in_II this_DD1 analysis_NN1 ._. 
The_AT goal_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 research_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO examine_VVI whether_CSW the_AT traditional_JJ assumptions_NN2 about_II sign_NN1 and_CC significance_NN1 for_IF IPAT_NN1 variables_NN2 hold_VV0 at_II a_AT1 local_JJ level_NN1 ._. 
Using_VVG the_AT Southeastern_JJ US_NP1 as_II a_AT1 case_NN1 study_NN1 allowed_VVN for_IF analysis_NN1 in_II a_AT1 region_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ undergone_VVN a_AT1 tremendous_JJ economic_JJ change_NN1 ,_, and_CC has_VHZ received_VVN a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO people_NN and_CC firms_NN2 formerly_RR located_VVN in_II the_AT industrial_JJ Northeast_ND1 and_CC Rustbelt_NP1 ._. 
While_CS the_AT results_NN2 of_IO these_DD2 estimations_NN2 illustrate_VV0 a_AT1 complicated_JJ relationship_NN1 between_II people_NN ,_, economy_NN1 and_CC environment_NN1 in_II the_AT region_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 should_VM also_RR be_VBI interpreted_VVN as_II an_AT1 illustration_NN1 of_IO the_AT ways_NN2 these_DD2 relationships_NN2 change_VV0 when_RRQ traditional_JJ economic-base_NN1 formulations_NN2 are_VBR complicated_VVN by_II fundamental_JJ shifts_NN2 in_II the_AT economic_JJ landscape_NN1 ._. 
Further_JJR investigations_NN2 of_IO the_AT STIRPAT_NN1 model_NN1 should_VM aim_VVI to_TO take_VVI into_II account_NN1 these_DD2 complex_JJ and_CC often_RR contradictory_JJ processes_NN2 of_IO development_NN1 and_CC economy_NN1 ._. 
