How to measure Happy Planet living

William Atkins
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 20:33

Science - Health

According to the New Scientist article, “While Costa Rica has a slightly higher life expectancy and life satisfaction than the US, the most dramatic contrast is in the ecological footprint: on average, the footprint of a Costa Rican is just a quarter of the size of an American’s—a level that is almost sustainable."

Nic Marks, who is a HPI statistician, states, “People are frightened of giving up their quality of life to save the environment, but this shows that a happy life does not need to cost the Earth.” [New Scientist]

In other statistics reported by this report:

•    Nine of the ten countries with the best Happy Planet scores are in Latin America.

•    Life satisfaction and life expectancy, together, have increased about 15% over the past 45-year period. However, the ecological footprint, during this same period, has increased by 72%.

•    Two-thirds of the 36 major countries in the world, included in the HPI survey, increased (bettered) their scores from 1990 to 2005.

•    The three largest countries in the world, China, India, and the United States, have seen their HPI scores drop (worsen) over the past fifteen years.

For additional information, check out the July 4, 2009 NEF article “Costa Rica tops Happy Planet Index” and “HPI in the news.”

You can sign up to be a supporter of “Happy Planet Living,” by going to NEF's Engage.

The website states, “The HPI makes clear that we need to make changes if we are going to achieve true sustainable well-being. In this section you can take steps towards happy planet living by engaging in a variety of actions.”