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Iceland ranks top in happy citizen table

Posted January 19 2008 12:51 AM        

<FONT face=Arial>Iceland shows that happiness does not have to come at a great cost Iceland is the leader in a league table judging the European country best able to give citizens a long and happy life. Estonia comes bottom of the 30-nation survey while the UK lurks below Romania, at number 21 in the chart.[<A href="http://www.hisgame.com">wow gold</A>]  The European Happy Planet Index used carbon efficiency, life satisfaction and life expectancy to rate the countries. The survey, published by the New Economics Foundation and Friends of the Earth, reveals that Europe is now worse at creating well-being than it was 40 years ago. "Countries like Iceland clearly show that happiness doesn't have to cost the earth," said Nic Marks, founder of the foundation's Centre for Well-being. "Iceland's combination of strong social policies and extensive use of renewable energy demonstrates that living within our environmental means doesn't mean sacrificing human well-being." The Scandinavian countries do best in the survey. Sweden is second, [<A href="http://www.euwowgold.com">wow gold</A>] Norway third and Denmark sixth. Immediately above Estonia, at the bottom of the table, are Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Greece. Andrew Simms, the foundation's head of climate change, said countries with a strong market-led economic model fared least well. "What is the point if we burn vast quantities of fossil fuels to make, buy and consume ever more stuff, without noticeably benefiting our well-being?" Iceland has rich sustainable energy source, via the volcanic geology, and its government commits more resources to health than any other country in Europe.[<A href="http://www.meinwowgold.de">wow gold kaufen</A>]  Luxembourg is the worst country for its carbon footprint and the UK comes fourth from the bottom on that rating. Europe as a whole has almost three times its "fair" global share of carbon emissions. Estonia comes bottom, by having the second highest fear of crime in Europe and a heavy carbon footprint. Switzerland, fourth overall, has the highest average life expectancy, at 80.5 years, while the UK achieves 78.4 and Latvia ranks lowest with 70.7. </FONT>


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Short Stories: The Lover

Posted January 14 2008 05:58 PM        

She was glad of the lake. It's soft, dark water <STRONG><A href="http://www.euwowgold.com/">wow gold</A></STRONG> helped to soothe and quiet her mind. It took her away from the noisy, squawkish world of the cat-walk and let her lie untroubled at its side, listening only to the gentle lapping of its waves. She felt at peace. Alone. Unhindered and free. Free to do nothing but watch and listen and dream. London, Paris, New York - names, only names. Names that had once meant excitement, then boredom, then frustration, then slavery. Names that had brought her to the edge of a breakdown and left her doubting her own sanity. But here everything was at peace. The lake, the trees, the cottage. And she was at one with them. Here she could stay for the rest of her life. Here she would be happy to die. Across the sun hurried a darkening filter of cloud; the advance guard of a larger and even graver army. The ripples on the water, chased by a freshening wind, pushed their way anxiously from the far side of the lake until they almost bounced at her feet. Way above her a solitary rook cawed its way Home - a lonely, troubled sound. And in the East there was thunder. Quickly she gathered her things together and made for the cottage. But already the rain flecked the water behind her and pattered the leaves as she raced beneath the trees. Sodden and breathless, she ran for the cottage door, and, as she opened it, the storm burst. And there on the hearth, gaunt and unwelcome, stood a man. 'Hello!' It was an odd way to greet a complete stranger who had invaded her Home, but it was all she could think of to say. A casual greeting to someone who seemed to be expecting her, waiting for her. Maybe it was the way they did things down here? 'I suppose you had to shelter from the storm too?' she asked. The man said nothing. She ought to have been angry at this rude intrusion on her privacy, but anger somehow seemed pointless. It was as if the cottage was his, the hearth was his, and she had come out of the storm to seek refuge at his door. She watched him, cautiously; waiting for an explanation. He said nothing. Not a word.<BR><BR>Related Articles:<BR><BR><A href="http://at134.blog-author.com/">Short Stories: Conviviality</A><BR><A href="http://shuttermom.com/blogs/?w=at134">Short Stories: The Lover<BR>Short Stories: Rules of the Game<BR>Short Stories: The Portrait of Mr. W. H.</A>