ON MEASURING EXISTENCE VALUE

The prevailing consensus that existence value can only be measured by contingent valuation is questioned. The concern is over ''pure'' existence value, a change in welfare when a public good changes that leaves no trace in behavior. Pure existence value may well be more a consequence of the simple models used to characterize nonuse value than a reflection of how people value public goods. If so, nonuse value can in principle be obtained from observing behavior as well as from asking questions, which offers a prospect for cross-checks and corroboration using both approaches. Some possibilities for empirical measurement are suggested.