What is happy planet indexing?

The Happy Planet Index was created to measure how well countries around the world score for health and well-being in comparison to their environmental impact.  The surprise is that wealthy countries often don’t score as well as poorer countries.  

For example, of 140 countries covered by the idex, The USA comes in at no. 108 and the UK is 31st, while Costa Rica is 1st and Mexico 2nd.

The Happy Planet Index was created by mathematician Nic Marks who also trained as a therapist.  One evening, walking on a hill overlooking the Thames he was struck by a question:  “Could society divide its modern lifestyle and well-being by its environmental cost?”  From that the Happy Planet Index was born.
 

How does it work?  
This formula takes into account the well-being of citizens, the average life expectancy and the gap between a country’s rich and poor, and contrasts this against its environmental impact.  This is put into a global league table at  Happy Planet Index 
 
Hear from Nic Marks 
Nic Marks joins Mukti Mitchell on the Carbon Ambassadors Course Quality of Life session on 25th June.  This session links the global and individual perspectives on the question of how reducing CO2 emissions can raise quality of life.  Attend this session

Run by Carbon Savvy and The Resurgence Trust, The Carbon Ambassasors Course gives a complete understanding of what individuals and organisations need to do to reach Net Zero, with a unique perspective:  It looks at how reducing carbon footprints can increase health, wealth and happiness in every area of our lives.  The course is acclaimed for being uplifting, inclusive and guilt-free, welcoming all whether your footprint is large or small.  

“Carbon Savvy will come to be seen as a turning point in our approach to sustainability. This is the highest praise I could offer anything or anybody in these times.” Sir Tim Smit KBE, Founder, The Eden Project 

Special guests include:  Satish Kumar (Earth Pilgrim), Penney Poyzer (BBC No Waste Like Home), Peter Owen Jones (BBC Around the World in 80 Faiths) and more.  The Carbon Ambassadors Course runs 9-11am Friday mornings from 28th May to 9th July (missed sessions can be viewed on catch-up)