The evidence suggests greater equality has

benefits in terms of fewer health and social

problems and stronger, more cohesive societies.

We can also expect that policies to reduce

carbon emissions and climate change will

improve health and wellbeing.

Energy production will be cleaner, waste managed more efficiently, people will walk or bicycle more frequently, and an emphasis on contraction and convergence could provide sustainable development opportunities for the world’s poorest.

Although change will take time, the convenient

truth is that greater equality offers not only the

possibility of a reduction in consumerism and

status competition, but also the development

of a more cohesive, sociable, and sustainable

society, which may be essential for our future

health and wellbeing.

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In The Spirit Level: ..Not

only is greater equality a prerequisite for coping with climate change, it is essential for future improvements in the overall quality of life of whole populations. Physical and mental health are better and a wide range of social problems are less prevalent in more equal societies.

The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better was published in 2009