The Climatic Ecology and Geography of Happiness

This chapter shows that unhappy survival cultures thrive in poor countries with demanding colder-than-temperate or hotter-than-temperate climates; moderately happy easygoing cultures thrive in countries with temperate climates irrespective of income per head; and happy self-expression cultures thrive in rich countries with demanding colder-than-temperate or hotter-than-temperate climates. Geographically viewed, psychosocial flourishing and life satisfaction decrease from the North Pole toward the equator and then increase from the equator toward the South Pole. These findings are translated into a future scenario for creating happiness through climate protection and poverty reduction.