ABSTRACT
The night sky is a superlatively wondrous and deeply threatened natural asset. Economic studies consistently show that the demand for beautiful scenery creates economic value. Individual consumption of many goods such as food, medicine, smartphones, is essential or highly desirable. Nevertheless, more egalitarian goods are highly attractive, given the zero-sum distributions of a sustainable economy. Scenic vistas, green spaces, shorelines, sunsets, nightscapes are all examples of beautiful things that create much happiness but do not necessitate resource depletion and waste. Inspiration and wonder are also important for sustainable happiness. There are the repeated suggestions of a need to turn "toward the exploration of inner states of experience rather than the outer world of fact and material accomplishment". Preserving the night sky will not automatically bring us bliss and sustainability. Anticipation is another important source of happiness. Anticipation has been described as a source of "free happiness".
