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Sustainable Happiness 13:11, 27 February 2014 (UTC)Sustainable Happiness

The term “sustainable happiness” was introduced by Catherine O’Brien in the paper Planning for Sustainable Happiness: Harmonizing our Internal and External Landscapes, at the 2nd International Conference on Gross National Happiness that was held in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, June 20–24, 2005. In subsequent articles, O’Brien refined the definition of sustainable happiness and continues to use the following definition

"Sustainable happiness is happiness that contributes to individual, community, and/or global wellbeing and does not exploit other people, the environment, or future generations."

Sustainable happiness integrates principles from positive psychology, happiness studies and sustainability. It underscores the fact that human happiness and wellbeing is interdependent with other people, other species and the natural environment.

In 2009, Cape Breton University became the first university in the world to offer a course on sustainable happiness.

Research on happiness and wellbeing garnered world attention in July of 2011, when a United Nations General Assembly resolution on happiness and wellbeing was passed unanimously by all member states. Referred to as UN General Assembly resolution A/65/L.86, the resolution was introduced by Bhutan and recommended that member states give greater priority to happiness and wellbeing in social and economic development policies. Building on this resolution, Jigmi Y. Thinley, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, states that the purpose of the resolution is to promote "sustainable happiness and wellbeing."

In 2012, Joe Loizzo, founder of the Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science and faculty member of the Weill Cornell Center for Integrative Medicine and the Columbia University Center for Buddhist Studies, published a book entitled, Sustainable Happiness: The Mind Science of Well-Being, Altruism, and Inspiration. It outlines a comprehensive system of contemplative living and learning, drawing upon Tibetan wisdom to foster sustainable living.

Positive psychologist, Sonja Lyubomirsky, has also referred to sustainable happiness from the perspective of sustaining happiness.