I just read the coolest article, seriously.

I was browsing around on The Guardian looking for inspiration when I found this article about how Costa Rica is both the world's greenest country as well as its happiest country. Really? Ecological consciousness is linked to happiness?

Costa Rica is world's greenest, happiest country

The article didn't go into much detail, but I'm willing to speculate.  Let's start with Ashley Seager's quote: "The [Happy Planet Index] shows, for example, that fast-growing economies such as the US, China and India were all greener and happier 20 years ago than they are today."

Well, why? The Happy Planet Index, first off, combines life expectancy and life satisfaction, which I think are pretty decent measures. According to Mr. Seager, the US is 114th of 143-- not a great standing given our long lives. African countries are at the very bottom of the scale, and the highest European nation is the Netherlands.

OK, so that's a start. What is it about green living that makes us happy, and about dirty living that is unsatisfying? 

This is pure speculation, but I'd like to chalk up the American angst to materialism. It's not only that our infrastructure poorly designed and we are often forced to drive cars to work-- on top of that, we want nice cars that 'define us.' We work longer hours than any other developed nation (correct me if I'm wrong-- it's been a long time since I read the stats), which stresses us and gives us more disposable cash to make those monthly payments.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, is big on the bicycle. I think in general that they live a more compact lifestyle, and place a higher value on frugality. This sort of attitude goes a long way toward overall satisfaction, and it's also better for the environment.

Of course, maybe there are other reasons forthe relative happiness of Costa Ricans and the Dutch. Most of the above was pure speculation. I'd love to hear what you think!