by rdf
Mon Jul 6th, 2009 at 02:46:25 PM EST
The new version of the happy planet index has just been released:
http://www.happyplanetindex.org/public-data/files/happy-planet-index-2-0.pdf
It is inspired by the work of Herman Daly in that criteria other than GDP are used to create a measure.
In this case the index is based upon the ratio of ( years of happy live) / (ecological footprint).
Developed countries, which ask a lot of the environment do relatively poorly.
Costa Rica is 1
UK is 74
US is 114
Some of their ideas are a bit idealistic, but why not?