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Energy Consumption, Energy Distribution, and Clean Energy Use Together Affect Life Expectancy

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  • Lisbeth Weitensfelder

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Hanns Moshammer

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
    Karakalpakstan Medical Institute, Nukus 230100, Uzbekistan)

  • Oral Ataniyazova

    (Karakalpakstan Medical Institute, Nukus 230100, Uzbekistan)

Abstract

Background: Energy use per capita is a measure of the wealth of a population. A minimum of wealth or energy is certainly needed to achieve good living standards and a healthy life. Life expectancy at birth might be used as an indicator of overall health and well-being. We hypothesized that the effect of energy use on life expectancy does reach a limit, above which further energy use does not further increase life expectancy. Methods: We used global World Bank data for the years between 1972 and 2014 on national energy use and life expectancy and applied non-linear models searching for a threshold. We also controlled for distribution inequalities. Results: There is a clear upper threshold for the effects of energy use, but this threshold did not remain completely constant over the years. Conclusions: While a certain level of wealth and energy use is necessary for health and well-being, there is a certain threshold beyond which additional energy consumption has no beneficial effects. A more even distribution of wealth and energy within a population and the use of cleaner energy sources might, above a certain level, be more important than the average use of energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisbeth Weitensfelder & Hanns Moshammer & Oral Ataniyazova, 2024. "Energy Consumption, Energy Distribution, and Clean Energy Use Together Affect Life Expectancy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:678-:d:1317896
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    References listed on IDEAS

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