2014 Vol.3

Natural Capital and the Level of Happiness of Community Residents

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Various studies have made it clear that natural capital is a factor that increases individuals’level of happiness. However, people feel this increased happiness differently according to specific ways or experiences of coming into contact with natural capital. According to a survey conducted in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, by me and my colleagues, people felt happiness differently when they viewed the scenery of Mt. Nishiyama (natural capital), which is located in the city, depending on whether they had actually visited the mountain. Promoting natural capital management at the community level requires not only consideration of the physical condition of natural capital and the way in which people experience it and derive happiness from the experience, but also creation of guidelines for sharing desirable ways to protect natural capital and properly managing it.