GEF

Unit 6  |  Social Changes of Sustainable Development 137 The obesity epidemic is partially the result of abundant and relatively cheap calories from subsidized industrial agricul- ture, the prevalence of junk food and high-sugar diets, and an increasingly sedentary, indoor existence. Unfortunately, this epidemic is also spreading to developing countries. Continued progress towards better health for the world’s people depends, first and foremost, on adequate nutrition and ready access to potable water. Many nations also face a decreasing quality of life accord- ing to measures of happiness and satisfaction. Research has repeatedly confirmed that once basic needs have been met, increased wealth does not increase happiness. Average per- person wealth in the U.S. has tripled since the 1950s, but numerous studies do not show Americans reporting increased happiness over this same period. The Genuine Progress Indicator and the Human Develop- ment Index (HDI) track a wide range of factors that can impact happiness. They add positive indicators, such as time spent with family, volunteer work, restoration of the environ- ment, arts, and culture, and subtract the negative, such as time spent in cars, lack of exercise, and loss of habitat . On such indicators, the U.S. often falls below many less wealthy nations. GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR An alternative measure of wellbeing that considers social, economic, and envi- ronmental factors. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX (HDI) An alternative metric of national wellbeing that mea- sures life expectancy, literacy, education, and standard of living. HABITAT An ecological or environ- mental area that is inhabited by organisms.