The U.S. ranks 16th in life satisfaction

According to the Happy Planet Index, the United States is tied for sixteenth (with Antigua and Barbuda, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, the United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, and Venezuala) in terms of life satisfaction. Denmark and Switzerland are tied for first.

The U.S. ranks 2nd in carbon dioxide emissions

According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, by 2006 China overtook the United States for the top spot in carbon dioxide emissions. The United States now ranks second in that category.

The U.S. ranks 1st in carbon dioxide emissions

According to the World Resources Institute, five countries (the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and India) contribute more than fifty percent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions. The United States ranks first, contributing 22% of the total.

Note: see updated information regarding this ranking here.