GDP = pollution

GDP = pollution

16th September, 2009 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Joseph Stiglitz has written a report for the French Government “Happiness and Measuring Economic Progress“. He also has  “The great GDP swindle” in the Guardian. He argues that increased GDP may actually contribute to a worsening of living standards. He says:

Recent [studies] verify and quantify what should be obvious: the loss of a job has a greater impact than can be accounted for just by the loss of income. They also demonstrate the importance of social connectedness.

It’s good for economists talkabout “happiness” – since Bentham and Marshal were scorned and dismissed – but Stiglitz needs some good examples of what is counted in GDP (Gross Domestic Product, the measure of economic progress)  and what is not counted.

Non-economic activity – not counted in GDP:

• Riding your bike
• Digging your allotment
• Watching village cricket
• Making love

Economic activity – counted as part of GDP:

• Crashing your car
• Flying to Ibitha
• Drinking in your pub
• Visiting a brothel
• Eating a hamburger

Some economic activity pollutes more, some less. So in order of pollution:

Economic activity in pollution order (lowest pollution first)

1. Visiting a brothel – see moresex.org.uk
2. Drinking in a pub – see  nobottles.org.uk
3. Eating a hamburger – see nobeef.org.uk
4. Crashing your car – see nocars.org.uk
5. Flying to Ibitha – see noplanes.org.uk