More on green space and human health
The expansion of urbanisation, one of the leading global trends of the 21st century, has been coupled with the burden of diminished mental and physical health. With roughly 55% of the world’s population living in urban areas, a proportion which is expected to increase to 68% by 2050, this reduced contact with nature, urbanisation and exploitation of resources is associated with chronic stress, limited physical activity and a detrimental impact on our health and well-being.
It is well documented that our surrounding environment hugely impacts our mental and physical health, from;
- improved air quality
- reduced stress
- enhanced physical activity
- greater social cohesion
The World Health Organisation, otherwise known as WHO, has published data estimating that 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe air which contains high levels of pollutants. This equates to around 93% of children globally being exposed to air pollution level well above the WHO air quality guidelines. Although removing harmful emissions at source is the most efficient way to improve air quality, reforestation and protecting green spaces surrounding our big cities, such as the greenbelt around the home counties in the UK, can play a key role in reducing air pollutants. Trees and other vegetation remove air pollution by providing large surface areas for particulate matter to settle on. Chemical reactions with leaf surfaces and the active uptake of gases can also participate in removing pollutants from the air.
Green spaces not only improve air quality, but living closer to green spaces promotes physical activity and reduces the risk of obesity. People who live furthest from public parks are 27% more likely to be overweight or obese. A study from the University of Glasgow found that in England, people living in close proximity to green spaces had lower death rates and reduced risk of heart disease. However, amongst lower income groups, where typically the provision of green spaces is less, a further 1300 deaths occur annually. Disadvantaged population groups tend to live in areas with limited access to green spaces, however studies have shown individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas benefit the most from improved availability to green spaces. Focusing on improving green spaces and reforestation in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage may help to mitigate health inequalities.
The positive impact that contact with nature can have on mental health is well documented. Something as simple as walking through a local woodland, can trigger positive hormone reactions for people suffering with high stress, shifting them to a more positive emotional state and reducing their stress level. Stimuli in natural settings has shown to restore a sense of well-being in persons suffering with mental fatigue. Even hospitals have reported that patient recovery rates consistently improve when a patient’s view includes trees from their hospital window.
In encouraging news, The NHS Forest project, coordinated by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare aims to collectively plant thousands of trees on NHS land, creating shade, locking up carbon and enabling greater access to green spaces whilst at hospital, in order to improve the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and local communities.
Protection of green spaces is crucial in protecting our mental and physical health, something which has been made painstaking clear during the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as battling the challenges of climate change. We at LEAF understand the value of trees and are committed to sharing this knowledge. Through protecting and restoring green spaces both at home and abroad, raising awareness about damaging consumptive habits (particularly in the global North) and tackling issues of social and climate justice, we hope to add our expertise to the climate revolution that is urgently required.
LEAF is currently developing a UK schools project, linking landowners to schools, allowing small-scale tree planting and habitat restoration to be carried out via educational activities. Through these projects children in urban areas can be active participants in creating positive change within their communities, as well as stimulating (hopefully) a life-long awareness of the environment and the impacts of our lifestyles across the globe. We want to promote the numerous benefits that connecting with nature can bring and would love to hear from anyone who could join us in our mission by emailing us on sophie@theleafcharity.com.
Additionally, LEAF is supporting the #GenerationRestoration through its LEAF champions program. Our champions support native tree restoration, helping both the biodiversity and climate crises of our generation. If you would like to become a LEAF champion, send us your #theleaf selfie to @wearetheleaf on any major social media platform.
