Based on a happiness index, Danes are the happiest people on the planet. The happiest people on the planet can also claim the greenest place on earth.The living green island Samso off the coast of Denmark achieved the distinction of being the world's first carbon neutral renewable energy island because the nearly 4,300 residents made it a goal.
- 100 percent of the Samso's residents electricity needs are supplied by a combination of land and offshore wind turbines with surplus energy sold the mainland of Denmark.
- 75 percent of heating needs are met with solar panels, heat pumps and biomass fuel.
- Vehicles are run on locally-grown rapeseed converted by a rapeseed press into a rapeseed oil fuel.
The success of reaching such an ambitious goal might be more than enough to inspire feelings of personal and communal happiness, but it might be the people of Denmark are the happiest due to a number of factors that not only lead to happiness but are good for the environment as well.
For example, Denmark is considered a post consumerist society where shopping is not a priority. Danes do not seem to be afflicted by affluence or measuring personal worth by goods owned. While most Danes can afford to buy a car, they choose non-status symbol bicycles as a means of transportation. Curious where the US ranks in terms of happiness? According to the happiness map, there are 22 happier places in the world to live. The US ranks 23rd.
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