Biography
Biography: Michiel Hobbelt
Abstract
We are living in one of the most prosperous countries in the world. But there is a problem: The ecological footprint of the Netherlands is about three and a half times what the earth can produce. Further growth in prosperity has less and less influence on our happiness (Veenhoven, 2018), while this growth has an ever increasing impact on our planet (Living Planet Report, 2018). Why then do we continue to focus on more prosperity and do we not consciously choose for more happiness? Can you live more sustainable and be happy? In order to become sustainable, we need a behavioral change in addition to technical progress. Research shows that people anticipate to sustainable technology, such that the environmental benefits are often largely negated (rebound effect). Various studies show that it is possible to live with a lower ecological footprint and be happy, both at the country level and at an individual level. A sustainable and happy life is a dynamic life with friends and family, personal development, contributing to society, living with attention and movement. Research shows that happy people are more co-operative, more open to change and more creative. These qualities that happy people have in common are of great importance for the transition to a sustainable society. It is therefore of great importance to focus on happiness in order to get a sustainable society.