Energy from My Backyard - The Renaissance of Renewable Energy - page 247

who, after an initial phase of elation, tend to return to their previous emotional state.
Third, social dynamics come into play as perceived prosperity depends on comparison with
others. Finally, although most people in industrialised countries have more leisure time
than their grandparents did, their investment in relationships has, in many cases, decreased.
Quality of life surveys show that participation in community life has declined in wealthier
societies, and the number of people who die without the help of loved ones has increased
(Becchetti 2012 ) .
Recognising that numerous non-economic factors contribute to quality of life, the
economists Ignacy Sachs and Amartya Sen helped to launch an alternative concept of
development - human development - and an instrument to measure it, the Human
Development Index (HDI). The HDI is currently based on three indicators: life expectancy
at birth (a long and healthy life is representative of a higher level of development);
expected years of schooling (education index); and gross national income per capita.
Published annually by the United Nations, the HDI aims to support more rounded targets
for development, beyond the merely economic.
If we look at the correlation between HDI and primary energy use per capita ( Figure
7.12 ) , it becomes clear that a minimum amount of energy (roughly 40 GJ per capita per
year) is required to ensure a high standard of living (Sathaye et al. 2011 ). However, quality
of life does not improve significantly above this level of consumption.
Figure 7.12. Relationship in 130 countries between energy use per capita (GJ per year)
and HDI. This demonstrates that, above a certain level, energy consumption does not
contribute to quality of life. Sources: Sathaye et al. ( 2011 ) and Smil ( 2008 ) , data from
UNDP and World Bank.
7.8 Energy Efficiency
While most people in the industrialised world agree in principle on the need to use energy
more efficiently, relatively few understand how this can be achieved. A recent study by
Columbia University in New York showed that 40 per cent of Americans believe that the
most important way to save energy is to curtail energy-consuming activities, for example,
driving less and turning lights off. Only 10 per cent identified what experts agree are
the most effective measures in the long term: insulating homes and using more efficient
appliances and vehicles (Attari et al. 2010 ).