It’s Monday, November 25, and scientists say buying less stuff can make you happier.
A new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggests taking steps to live more sustainably, like buying less stuff and eating local food, is good for both the planet and the people involved — especially when the steps are taken by a whole community.
The researchers surveyed 141 members of community-based sustainability projects like food coops and eco-villages in Germany, Italy, Romania, and Spain. They asked participants how happy they were, and compared their answers and carbon footprints with those of more than 1,000 people living in the same places but not involved with climate projects.
The people who participated in local sustainability initiatives ate more plant-based foods, bought more used clothing, and were more likely to ride their bikes instead of driving. So it’s no surprise that their carbon footprints were 16 percent smaller than those of people not involved in climate-friendly community groups.
And it turns out they were happier, too. Those trying to reduce their environmental impact reported 11 to 13 percent higher levels of satisfaction and feelings of fulfillment than those who weren’t.
Buying less stuff and eating more vegetables en masse won’t reduce emissions enough to keep warming below the 2 degrees C outlined in the Paris Agreement. But in the meantime, individual action can make a difference, and it can make you feel better, too.
The Smog
Need-to-know basis
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