  We report the first ex post study of the economic impact of sea level rise.
We apply two econometric approaches to estimate the past effects of sea level
rise on the economy of the USA, viz. Barro type growth regressions adjusted for
spatial patterns and a matching estimator. Unit of analysis is 3063 counties of
the USA. We fit growth regressions for 13 time periods and we estimated
numerous varieties and robustness tests for both growth regressions and
matching estimator. Although there is some evidence that sea level rise has a
positive effect on economic growth, in most specifications the estimated
effects are insignificant. We therefore conclude that there is no stable,
significant effect of sea level rise on economic growth. This finding
contradicts previous ex ante studies.
