Recent studies have examined the link between exposure to nature and health , but do some of these landscapes do a better job at boosting your health than others? A new study out of the University of Wollongong in Australia found that public green spaces covered by some kind of tree canopy, as opposed to bare grass or low-lying vegetation, provide the greatest health benefit. Published this week in JAMA Network Open , the study found that adults living in a neighborhood with at least 30 percent tree cover were 31 percent less likely to develop psychological distress and 33 percent less likely to have fair or poor health overall. “Our findings suggest that urban greening strategies with a remit for supporting community mental health should prioritize the protection and restoration of urban tree canopy,” authors Thomas Astell-Burt and Xiaoqi Feng wrote. “In addition, the promotion of equal access to tree canopy may provide greater equity in mental health.” The results support previous research into ” forest bathing ” therapy, which has been linked with lower stress, blood pressure and anxiety . The researchers monitored the health of nearly 47,000 Australian adults living among three distinct types of green […]
Latest Articles
Baby Seals Spotted in Record Numbers on Norfolk Coast
Takeaways: A record number of baby seals have been spotted on a five-mile stretch off the coast in Norfolk.
3796 seal pups have been...
Can ‘Glocalization’ Lead to a More Sustainable and Equitable World?
Takeaways: Glocalization is a balance between global and local which brings opportunities to increase resilience and sustainability.
Ways to do this include using technological...
The G7 and Vietnam Reach $15.5 Billion Deal to Exit Coal and Enter Renewable...
The G7 and Vietnam Reach $15.5 Billion Deal to Exit Coal and Enter Renewable Energy Production. The...
The Importance of Inclusion
The Importance of Inclusion
Guest Post by: Taylor Ganis, host and founder of the Hopeful Environmentalist Podcast The climate movement has grown tremendously over the years,...
Minnesota Installs New Community Solar Garden in Makato
Takeaways: A 1.2-megawatt solar community garden will be built in Minnesota.
Community solar garden subscribers will own a share of the solar array equivalent...
All I Want For Christmas Is A New Voltex AL Heat Pump Water Heater
Takeaways: Heat pump water heaters are 2-4 times more efficient than fossil gas or electric resistance water heaters.
They emit minimal, if any, CO2.
...