Curious Kids: why do I feel happier when the sun is out?

By Franz Buscha, Professor of Economics, University of Westminster

Why do I feel happier when the sun is out? – Mabli, aged 13, Barry, Wales

That is exactly the same question I asked many years ago when I was sitting on a nice sunny beach, far away on a lovely warm island. I remember thinking, “Oh gosh, tomorrow I need to fly back to rainy London where the weather is horrible. I don’t want to go; the weather will make me unhappy.”

I actually did some research into whether sunshine does make us happier. I’m a professor of economics, and…

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