{CO2} Emissions don't make Europe happy (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Europe's carbon emissions have risen markedly over the last 40 years, but the extra fuel use has brought little increase in happiness, a report says.

Written by the New Economics Foundation (Nef), it says that reducing social inequality and energy consumption are key drivers of improved wellbeing.

Iceland has the highest ratio of wellbeing to emissions, with the UK 21st out of 30 countries assessed.
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"Countries that have most closely followed the Anglo-Saxon, strongly market-led economic model show up as the least efficient," commented Nef's policy director, Andrew Simms.

"These findings question what the economy is there for. What is the point if we burn vast quantities of fossil fuels to make, buy and consume ever more stuff without noticeably benefiting our wellbeing?"
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6897485.stm