How Much Environment Do Humans Need? Evidence from an Integrated Online User Application Linking Natural Resource Use and Subjective Well-Being in Germany

Johannes Buhl, Christa Liedtke and Katrin Bienge
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Johannes Buhl: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Christa Liedtke: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Katrin Bienge: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany

Resources, 2017, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: We present the results of a regression analysis of a large-scale integrated user online application that surveys natural resource use and subjective well-being in Germany. We analyse more than 44,000 users who provided information on their natural resource consumption (material footprint) as well as their personal socio-economic and socio-psychological characteristics. We determine an average material footprint of 26 tonnes per person per year. In addition, we endeavour to determine how much environment humans need by regressing natural resource use as well as relevant socio-economic and socio-psychological features on subjective well-being. We establish a slightly negative correlation between subjective well-being and material footprints. A higher material footprint is associated with lower subjective well-being. We conclude that consumer policies seeking to promote sustainable behaviour should highlight the fact that a lower material footprint may result in greater subjective well-being.

Keywords: material footprint; resource use; subjective well-being; life satisfaction; survey; data mining; online application; regression analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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