Growth, Development and Happiness 2.13
(ii) The WHR 2012 took key examples become dire in several fragile regions of
from the USA—the world’s economic the world. We are already experiencing
superpower —which has achieved striking deterioration of life support systems in
economic and technological progress over the dry lands of the Horn of Africa and
the past half century without gains in the parts of Central Asia.
self-reported happiness of the citizenry On the other hand, if we act wisely,
with the following serious ‘concerns’ of we can protect the Earth while raising
today: quality of life broadly around the world.
(a) uncertainties and anxieties are high, We can do this by adopting lifestyles
(b) social and economic inequalities have and technologies that improve happiness
widened considerably, (or life satisfaction) and reduce human
damage to the environment. Sustainable
(c) social trust is in decline, and
Development is the term given to the
(d) confidence in government is at an all- combination of human well-being,
time low. social inclusion and environmental
Perhaps for these reasons, life satisfaction sustainability. There is no doubt in
in the USA has remained nearly constant concluding that the ‘quest for happiness’
during the decades of rising Gross is intimately linked to the ‘quest for
National Product (GNP) per capita. sustainable development’.
(iii) The realities of poverty, anxiety, (iv) In an impoverished society, the urge
environmental degradation, and for material gain typically makes a lot
unhappiness in the midst of great plenty of sense. Higher household income (or
should not be regarded as mere curiosities. higher per capita GNP) generally signifies
They require our urgent attention, and an improvement in the life conditions
especially so at this juncture in human of the poor. The poor suffer from dire
history. For we have entered a new phase deprivations of various kinds: lack of
of the world, termed the Anthropocene17 adequate food supplies, remunerative
by the world’s Earth system scientists. The jobs, access to health care, safe homes,
Anthropocene will necessarily reshape safe water and sanitation, and educational
our societies. If we continue mindlessly opportunities. As incomes rise from very
along the current economic trajectory, we low levels, human well-being improves.
risk undermining the Earth’s life support Not surprisingly, the poor report a rising
systems—food supplies, clean water and satisfaction with their lives as their meager
stable climate—necessary for human incomes increase.
health and even survival in some places. On the opposite end of the income
In years or decades, conditions of life may spectrum, for most individuals in the
high-income world, the basic deprivations
17. The Anthropocene is a newly invented term that
combines two Greek words: ‘anthropo’ for human;
have been vanquished. There is enough
and ‘cene’ for new, as in a new geological epoch. The food, shelter, basic amenities (such as
Anthropocene is the new epoch in which humanity, clean water and sanitation), and clothing
through its technological prowess and population of to meet their daily needs. In fact, there
7 billion, has become the major driver of changes of
Earth’s physical systems, including the climate, carbon is a huge surfeit of amenities above basic
cycle, water cycle, nitrogen cycle and biodiversity. needs. Poor people would swap with rich