Glossary H
Deutsch: Schwermetall / Español: Metal pesado / Português: Metal pesado / Français: Métal lourd / Italiano: Metallo pesante
Heavy metal refers to a group of metals and metalloids that have relatively high density and are toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. Common heavy metals include lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
"Hedonic adaptation," also known as the "hedonic treadmill," is a concept primarily discussed in psychology and behavioral economics, referring to people's tendency to return to a stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes. However, when considering hedonic adaptation in the environmental context, it can relate to how individuals or societies adjust their expectations and satisfaction levels in response to changes in their environment, including improvements or degradations in environmental quality.
The hedonic treadmill theory, originally a concept from the field of psychology, can also be applied in the environmental context to describe how continuous consumption and the pursuit of material wealth lead to unsustainable environmental practices without providing lasting increases in happiness. This theory suggests that people continuously adapt to improved circumstances without gaining long-term satisfaction, perpetually returning to a relatively stable level of happiness despite significant efforts or consumption.