Being Happy On A Happy And Ecological Planet

The British organization New Economics Foundation has recently published a report: the International Happiness Index.

This report reflects what it is that really makes us happy and how humanity can take the essential leap towards a type of happiness that does not cost us the planet.

What does the Happiness Index evaluate?

Sometimes it is difficult to feel hopeful about the future of Earth. There is not a single day that we do not hear about the problems facing the world.

Last year I managed to introduce a question into a survey at European level that referred to people’s hope for the future of the world.

The survey collected the opinion of 30,000 citizens throughout the old and new Europe.

More than 46% said they did not feel hopeful. These are alarming data that indicate that a majority of Europeans believe that humanity is heading towards dark times.

Is this an inevitable process? Could we not find a way to a better future in which society is more just and ecological?

If we were able to begin to describe this vision of the future more clearly, perhaps people would really want to make the necessary changes to make it a reality.

A world with greater emotional well-being

When I speak of a low carbon future, fairer and happier, I put the accent on “happier”.

There is evidence that happiness is not only the essential element for a more ecologically and socially just future, it is also the key.

Let’s think for a moment about the evolutionary purpose of positive emotions.

When we feel good, we pay more attention, we are more flexible, playful, open to relationships and, ultimately, more creative when adapting to our closest environment.

The elements that constitute human happiness

These thoughts and actions facilitate our resilience, sociability, emotional intelligence, and self-control.

In other words, it is the experience of happiness itself that helps us build the skills we need to overcome future challenges.

To create a sustainable future for all, we need people who are open, resourceful and flexible.

There is no doubt that we have a long way to go, but we need to know that we are heading in the right direction.

On a global level , the International Happiness Index can be a good tool.

On an individual level , getting rid of the excess baggage of materialistic life can be psychologically and spiritually liberating, it will make us feel lighter and live on this Earth more lightly.

This is my vision for the future: happier people on a happier planet.