Two women with cool stockings.People who walk more get a kick out of life.Photo: Luigi AnzivinoIt probably won’t be any comfort to the Tea Party folks who live in terror of the sinister international conspiracy to foster sustainable development — which aims to create communities where walking to school or the store is easy and pleasant.

But a new study from the University of New Hampshire finds that living in a more walkable place makes people happier. From USA Today:

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The researchers scored 700 residents of three communities in New Hampshire on measures of “social capital” such as socializing with friends, civic engagement and trust in their community. They found those in neighborhoods with higher Walk Score ratings reported being happier and healthier and more apt to volunteer, work on community projects or simply entertain friends at home.

Somehow it doesn’t sound all that scary.

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Hat tip to @Richard_Florida.