Just give me space - Green Space

In a rapidly industrialising world 56% of the world’s population currently live in the grey infrastructure of a concrete jungle - an ecosystem of commuters, congestion and coffee shops. An endangered species within this biome is the coveted ‘green space’, slowly becoming increasingly hard to spot despite its abundance of benefits. I therefore remain eternally grateful that we are living in a part of the country that still has plenty of beautiful green spaces and my gratitude is even greater as I begin to see winter ebbing in to spring if front of my eyes.

A green space can be defined as parks, fields, woods, meadows, rocks, boglands and rivers. Green spaces are multi-functional entities: a playground becomes a saviour for parents looking to exhaust their children, a public area for walkers, joggers and cyclists and an oasis for the stressed commuter after a claustrophobic journey to and from work.

What do green spaces really mean for us and why do we need them more than ever? Eco health is an emerging concept that acknowledges how the natural environment plays a crucial role in human wellbeing, and that humans have an inherent need for contact with nature.

Growing scientific evidence indicates the benefits to human health especially cardiovascular and mental health. An abundance of mental health benefits stem from green spaces; they provide a space for exercise and socialisation that contribute to the well-being of the whole of society. Mental health continues to be a prominent issue; regular access to green spaces are known to improve sleep and reduce stress as well as lower anxiety.

One study in the US of participants over 65 years old found that green space exposure was associated with fewer hospitalisations for certain neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease

The World Health Organisation estimates that an alarming 7 million people die prematurely as a result of ambient air pollution and household air pollution. Air pollution comes from chemicals being released from fossil fuels such as vehicle emissions. When we inhale, this toxic air may act as an irritant gas that causes long term complications with our airways, that aggravates pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

The presence of green spaces is a sustainable option to mitigate these effects. The plants within green spaces can absorb harmful pollutants and exchanges them to release oxygen, consequently the release of oxygen creates a higher quality of air which we breathe and rebukes the harmful effects of air pollution.

Green spaces provide shade and moisture that can lower temperatures and mitigate the urban heat island effect (when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat.)

Children benefit greatly as exposure to green spaces enhances memory and learning ability; parks further allow for better socialisation skills and a fun form of exercise. Children with lower access and exposure to green spaces become more likely to suffer from obesity and other health issues such as poor eyesight.

So, as we continue to see increasing urbanisation – even in our beautiful part of the country – lets continue to support our mental, physical, social and Eco health needs and get out into these green spaces.