Happiness and energy supply

Against the background of climate change, many countries have started phasing out fossil-fuelled power generation and phasing in renewable energies. Renewable energy facilities, however, can be expected to have wellbeing effects of their own, such as visual or acoustic impairments. Similar to renewable energies, nuclear power avoids emission of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, but poses problems of nuclear risk. In addition, to the extent that restructuring the energy system involves higher costs, the issue of energy affordability has gained in importance. This chapter discusses the recent wellbeing literature with respect to the following questions: How do actual or perceived nuclear risks affect wellbeing? What are the wellbeing consequences of living close to energy facilities? How do energy-related natural hazards (for example, droughts, floods, hurricanes) affect wellbeing? How does the affordability of energy affect wellbeing? What are citizens’ preferences for alternative configurations of the energy system in terms of wellbeing?