Happiness doesn't cost the Earth (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

People can live long, happy lives without consuming large amounts of the Earth's resources, a survey suggests.

The 178-nation "Happy Planet Index" lists the south Pacific island of Vanuatu as the happiest nation on the planet, while the UK is ranked 108th.

The index is based on consumption levels, life expectancy and happiness, rather than national economic wealth measurements such as GDP.
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Latin American nations dominate the top 10 places in the index, while African and Eastern European nations fill most of the bottom 10.

Among the world's largest economies, Germany is ranked 81st, Japan 95th, while the US comes in at 150th.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5169448.stm

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. Vanuatu consumes lots of energy...

... in the form of sunlight. Seattle? Not so much.

It's easier to be happy where the sun shines.

[bloom]

2. "Happy Planet Index"

I like it.

[IrateCitizen]

3. Hardly surprising where industrialized countries fall...

After all, human relationships and connections are sacrificed on the altars of efficiency and modernity. :-(