How much energy powers a good life? Less than you're using, says a new report

Americans use 284 gigajoules of energy a year per capita, nearly four times as much as they need to have a good quality of life, according to new research.

Alison Guillory / WABE

How much energy does it take to have a good and healthy life? A new Stanford University study has found that the answer is far less than the average American is using.

Comparing energy use and quality of life across 140 countries, researchers found that the magic number is 75 gigajoules a year, or less. For context, one gigajoule of energy is equal to about eight gallons of gasoline.

Americans use 284 gigajoules a year per capita, nearly four times that much energy, according to the new research.