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The Value to the Environmental Movement of the New Literature on the Economics of Happiness

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  • Oswald, Andrew J.

Abstract

Many environmentalists have not yet discovered and understood the value to them of a new research literature. That literature is the economics of happiness. It offers a potentially important tool for future policy debate. In particular, this literature offers a defensible way to calculate the costs and benefits of the true happiness value of ‘green’ variables – and to weigh those against the happiness value to people of extra income and consumption. Some of the latest research findings turn out to accord well with environmentalists’ intuitions: green variables seem to have large direct effects on human well-being; society would arguably be better to concentrate more on environmental aims and less on monetary or materialistic ones; greater consumption of things in Western society cannot be expected to make us much happier.

Suggested Citation

  • Oswald, Andrew J., 2012. "The Value to the Environmental Movement of the New Literature on the Economics of Happiness," Economic Research Papers 270625, University of Warwick - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uwarer:270625
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.270625
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