What’s new?
22 November 2007
It’s time to think big
Large-scale conservation projects can help health
What is good for wildlife is great for people too. That’s just one of the messages in the latest issue of Natural World, the UK magazine for members of The Wildlife Trusts, out this month.
The Wildlife Trusts’ work on wildlife habitats, as featured in their vision ‘A Living Landscape’, has a positive impact on physical health. Children with access to safe but exciting green space spend less time in front of television or computers and may be fitter as a result. Lessons can be learned as Living Landscapes are a great place to study biology and geography, for making history come alive and to bring home messages about our interdependence with the natural world. Living Landscapes are vital for wildlife in restoring habitats which enable it to adapt to climate change. Climate change is not the only factor currently pressing wildlife and driving forward landscape-scale conservation. Habitat destruction has been a major influence; pollution is degrading our rivers and land; development of roads, housing, airports on important wildlife areas and changes in farming practice have all had dramatic effects on UK species.
The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive, Stephanie Hilborne, said: “Our Living Landscapes work is for wildlife and people, from inner cities to rural communities and our wildest places. It is critical to work on a landscape-scale if we are to give wildlife a chance and allow future generations to enjoy nature as we have. And this work shows how important A Living Landscape is for people’s health and well-being. All of us need to play our part in tackling climate change. We can save energy at home, use our cars less, choose a greener energy supplier. We also need to save water, recycle as much as we can and, whenever possible, buy foods and goods grown or made locally.
“We are focusing much of our work on A Living Landscape as our key agenda for the coming years. It unites our nature reserves, our advisory work with farmers and land-owners, our advocacy with planners and developers, and our education and community programmes. And it gives wildlife a chance to adapt to climate change. We must also monitor government’s actions, to make sure it‘s working for people too.”
The Wildlife Trusts are also calling on government – national and local – to play its part to create a working, living landscape and to help show what’s in it for people too. This means:
- Less flooding
Climate change is bringing more heavy rain at odd times of year – this summer’s floods may seem much less exceptional in 20 years’ time. A Living Landscape can help in several ways. Better managed land, and more diverse habitats, can allow water to soak into the ground, not rush straight into drains and rivers. Flood meadows and wetlands can hold huge volumes of water. The summer floods in Doncaster would have been even worse if the water held in Potteric Carr nature reserve had reached the town too.
- A sense of well-being
A green and vibrant countryside is, quite simply, good for people. A growing body of research indicates that a regular walk in a wood, for example, can be as effective in relieving stress and tension as therapy or drugs. Seeing the passage of seasons, hearing birdsong, watching a butterfly on the buddleia in the garden – all these experiences enrich our lives immeasurably, and enhance our sense of place and belonging.
- Carbon dioxide storage
Carbon dioxide is the ‘greenhouse gas’ most responsible for global warming. Small increases in the atmosphere increase its blanketing effect, so the earth retains more of the sun’s heat and the planet warms. The battle against climate change is about burning less oil, gas and coal, and storing more carbon dioxide. A Living Landscape helps because most natural habitats trap carbon dioxide in soil and plant tissues.
- A cleaner, cooler place to live
Trees and woodland can absorb pollution from their surroundings. Natural habitats clean rain and surface water as it percolates through, providing healthier drinking water. Wetland habitats, such as reedbeds and willows, can be used to strip out nutrient and harmful chemicals at sewage treatment works, so the water going back into rivers can be cleaner than the river itself. Trees also provide shelter and moisture, and can help cool hot and arid urban areas, making it more pleasant for people – see how we flock to parks and gardens in hot weather.
- A healthier life
As well as the benefits to mental health, A Living Landscape has physical benefits too. Children with access to safe but exciting green space will spend less time in front of the television or computers, and may be fitter and less vulnerable to asthma and allergies. Safe and enjoyable places to walk and cycle can provide more exercise and combat obesity in people of all ages, reducing rates of diabetes and heart disease. And keeping physically active outdoors as we age is good for our general health – and can help keep us mentally alert too.
- Education – as fun!
Children can learn lots from A Living Landscape. It’s a wonderful way to study biology and geography, for real. It makes history of places and people come alive. For younger children, it’s an easy place to make basic literacy and numeracy exciting. For adults, it can enrich our lives by developing our understanding of our location and bring home our interdependence with the natural world.
For further information please contact Anna Guthrie, senior press officer, on 01636 670075 or aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org.