The Happy Planet Index - For You!

[Guest]

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[RichardF]

"The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is an innovative new measure that shows the ecological efficiency with which human well-being is delivered.

"It is the first ever index to combine environmental impact with human well-being to measure the environmental efficiency with which country by country, people live long and happy lives.

"By addressing the relative success or failure of countries in supporting good lives for their citizens, whilst respecting the environmental resource limits upon which our lives depend, the HPI has much to teach us. Analysing its results could help us to move towards a world where we can all live good lives without costing the earth."

The HPI was developed by the new economics foundation (nef).

"nef is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being.

"We aim to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues. We work in partnership and put people and the planet first."

Calculate your own HPI by taking the HPI Survey.

[RichardF]

Here's what I got.

Happy Planet Index
Your personal Happy Planet Index (HPI) is 38.2, which is similar to that of Sweden, Namibia or Romania. Sorry to say that this is below the world average of 46. For those living in the UK, you’ll also be disappointed to hear your score is below the national average. Your score is above that of your country (USA), 28.8.

The personal report also included scores and summaries on:
* Life Expectancy
* Ecological Footprint
* Carbon Footprint
* Life Satisfaction
* Well-being
   * Personal Feelings
   * Personal Functionings
   * Social Feelings
   * Social Functionings
 

[Soriak]

Your personal Happy Planet Index (HPI) is 75.2, which is above that for any country, including top-placed Vanuatu. Congratulations! However, it is still below the reasonable ideal we have set, of 83, so you can still do more to improve your health and well-being, or reduce your environmental impact. Your score is above that of your country, 48.3.

Life Expectancy: 84.5 (yikes, that's not high enough)
Your ecological footprint is 3.49 global hectares, or 1.94 planets.
Your carbon footprint is 0.99 global hectares, or 0.55 planets. This is below the average for your country (3.04 gHa).
Lucky you! You reported a maximum life satisfaction of 10, meaning you are as happy as you could possibly ever be. Dare we even offer you any tips on improving your well-being? You're not alone though. In the European Social Survey, 1 in 10 respondents across Europe reported feeling the same as you.


edit: bah, they docked me points for not being involved in my "community." I live in a city, which pretty much guarantees being surrounded by wankers... the fact that I don't follow any community events is a BONUS to happiness, not a detractor 

[KivanSteven]

This was a lot of fun.  Im not sure I agree with the happy meter's original happiness accuracy since I am a pretty content, easy going, and living life to the fullest type of person.  I adjusted my location of living from near a big city to a small town, which is more accurate and my HPI jumped 12 points, probably a better representation of me than a 31.

Here's my ratings:  Most of which are slightly higher than the world average, other than life expectancy which thankfully was pretty high, while ecological and carbon footprint are a bit higher than world averages--what do you expect living in the US.  (Carbon footprint was as high as it was on account of 300 miles of job related driving per week--but I drive a small Toyota which doesnt make it quite as bad.  I would think your mpg would weigh heavily on your carbon footprint).  The last number in each row is the world average.


HPI: 43.8 / 42.8
Life expectancy: 95.5 / 79.7
Ecological Footprint: 6.18 / 5.33
Carbon Footprint: 4.93 / 2.85 / 5.84 US average
Life Satisfaction: 7 / 6.77
Personal Feelings: 6.55 / 6.06
Personal Functionings: 6.91 / 6.16
Social Feelings: 5.35 / 5.7
Social Functioning: 6.75 / 5.59

[Tatiana]

Nice, thanks Richard!

"Your personal Happy Planet Index (HPI) is 75.8, which is above that for any country, including top-placed Vanuatu. Congratulations! However, it is still below the reasonable ideal we have set, of 83, so you can still do more to improve your health and well-being, or reduce your environmental impact. Your score is above that of your country, 46."

"Your ecological footprint is 1.97 global hectares, or 1.09 planets. This is equivalent to the average in countries such as Turkey, Jordan or Mongolia."

"Your carbon footprint is 1.23 global hectares, or 0.68 planets. This is below the average for your country (2.80 gHa)."

[Henry]

Ahimsa Steve, might have been perfect scores (if such exist) if PayPal didn't exist!   

nothing to brag about on my scores except - I'm going to outlive everyone I know, I've got a pretty big foot (guess I fly too much), apparently I'm satisfied with life while not at all optimistic about it, autonomous, and have an excellent personal life - I guess since I'm satisfied with the time I have to do what I want.

While I enjoyed this survey, I think it could use about 500 more questions!

[KivanSteven]

Congrats Soriak and Tatiana on your results...quite impressive HPI's.  Hope you can continue doing what you do to acquire those scores, unimpeded, and in the meantime teach the rest of us a thing or two.

Lol, too funny Henry...see paypal not only steals your money, they also make the world a less happy place to be!! Lol, I knew there was more terror involved in their existence.  After turning a few ebay sellers off from paypal today, I feel pretty darn good (unreflected in the survey )

BTW, I also altered my flying schedule. Originally I marked the smallest flight time per year, but in all honesty, I really only fly once every 5 years or more, I usually drive everywhere if I am traveling.  So instead I checked that I do not fly at all, which is more accurate.  Anyways, Henry this alteration dropped my Ecological footprint from 10, down to 6, so according to the survey, flying has an enormous impact.  But I too wish the questionairre was more in depth and better developed...but still a great self awareness tool to play with.

[A Nonny Mouse]

Here, I shall make everyone feel good about themselves and post my scores: 

Your personal Happy Planet Index (HPI) is 9.8, which is below that for any country, including bottom-placed Zimbabwe. That's dreadful! Your score is below that of your country, 28.8.

(in that case, lead me to the Zimbabwe loans, misery loves company!)

You reported a life satisfaction of 4. Sorry that things aren't working out. At a national level, your score matches the mean for Belarus - where half the population is as sad or sadder.

(ditto for the Belarus loans...but I thought they weren't a third world/developing country?)

HPI: 9.8
Life expectancy: 66
Ecological Footprint: 14.01  (what???)
Carbon Footprint: 5.18
Life Satisfaction: 4
Personal Feelings: 3.54
Personal Functionings: 5.7
Social Feelings: 4.29
Social Functioning: 4.07

hmmm...I do have a headache right now...guess I know why, eh?   

[KivanSteven]

Hey Nonny, not to be discouraged...all that means is youre not spending enough quality time on Kiva Friends  .  KF will turn those numbers right around for ya 

[Henry]

Anonnymouse- you crack me up!  so much so I had to take a peek at your profile, then I saw the following you typed-  "I heard about Kiva while lurking on an angry feminist website"  ummmm

well

Thanks for both, I laughed even more!