Happy Planet Index and Well-Being

The Happy Planet Index (HPI), created by Nic Marks, measures the sustainable well-being of nations by evaluating quality of life and resource efficiency. Unlike GDP, HPI considers subjective well-being and environmental impact. It uses four components: well-being, life expectancy, inequality of outcomes, and ecological footprint. The 2016 HPI map shows Costa Rica leading due to its low ecological footprint and renewable energy use. The video discusses strategic actions for a sustainable planet, emphasizing resource efficiency and the UN's sustainable development goals. It concludes with a call for policy shifts towards social equality and environmental sustainability.

What is the main purpose of the Happy Planet Index?

• To measure the economic growth of a country

• To assess the military strength of a nation

• To evaluate the sustainable well-being of nations

• To rank countries based on technological advancements

Which of the following is NOT a component used by HPI to measure happiness?

• Military expenditure

• Ecological footprint

• Well-being

• Life expectancy

How does the HPI map categorize countries?

• By their population size

• By their HPI score

• By their GDP

• By their technological development

Which country leads the world in HPI according to the 2016 data?

• Germany

• China

• Costa Rica

• United States

What significant action did Costa Rica take in 1949 that contributed to its high HPI score?

• Implemented a universal healthcare system

• Banned all fossil fuels

• Abolished its army

• Increased military spending

What is one of the strategic actions recommended by the International Resource Panel for a sustainable planet?

• Increase the use of natural resources

• Maintain linear material flows

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 percent by 2050

• Focus solely on economic growth

Which of the following is a United Nations sustainable development goal?

• Promote fossil fuel usage

• End poverty

• Increase global military presence

• Expand urban areas

What does the Happy Planet Index remind policymakers about well-being?

• It is solely dependent on economic progress

• It requires increased industrialization

• It is unrelated to social equality

• It can be achieved without environmental damage

What opportunity does the Happy Planet Index present to policymakers?

• To ignore environmental concerns

• To shift focus to social equality and environmental sustainability

• To prioritize military expansion

• To focus on economic growth alone

What is the relationship between economic progress and sustained well-being according to the Happy Planet Index?

• Economic progress guarantees sustained well-being

• Economic progress is the only factor for well-being

• Sustained well-being is independent of economic progress

• Economic progress alone is insufficient for sustained well-being