We are all inspired by the amazing marvel that is the natural world. Our economy, society, and even our basic survival are supported by it. The food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we use to irrigate our crops are all products of our forests, rivers, seas, and soils. We also depend on them for a wide range of other products and services that are essential to our success, pleasure, and well-being.
Recommended to read: What If Each Rainbow Showed A Different Earth—what Would You See?
The term 'natural capital' is frequently used to describe these natural resources. From forestry and agriculture to recreation and tourism, these advantages are also quite significant to the economy. The cumulative worth of these advantages is astounding, amounting to at least US$125 trillion annually.
We frequently overuse and take nature for granted since it is free. Without considering the consequences, we build over wetlands, pollute rivers, overfish seas, and remove forests. We incur significant social and financial expenses for ourselves when we fail to consider the advantages that nature provides.
How do we regard nature?
In order to make sure that the importance of nature is central to decision-making in the UK and globally, we are collaborating with the government, industry, financial institutions, and other organizations.
We promote improved conservation results by highlighting the importance of natural capital. For instance, we can assist the government in making plans that directly benefit people and enhance the preservation of tiger habitat by demonstrating the significance of certain regions of Sumatra's tiger habitat for soil retention and carbon storage.
Where the importance of nature is having an effect?
By appreciating nature, we may change how the environment is handled and provide social and economic benefits globally in addition to improved environmental protection.
Why does nature have such significance for people?
Humans gain much from nature. Nature freely supplies the necessities for our life and improves our well-being through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
The Positive Connection Between Nature and Health
According to studies published by Texas Parks and Wildlife, Children and Nature, and the National Wildlife Federation, we now know that nature may lower stress, calm mental health issues, and fight obesity because of researchers, academics, and practitioners who study the subject. "People of all ages and abilities enjoy higher levels of health and well-being when they have nature nearby in parks, gardens, greenways, naturalized schoolyards and playgrounds, and natural landscaping around homes and workplaces," concludes the American Public Health Association. Higher levels of outdoor physical activity, stress recovery, a stronger feeling of wellbeing, and increased social capital have all been linked to having access to nature.
Three Highlights of Health and Nature Research
Finding 1: Nature may enhance our health in a variety of ways, such as better air quality, more physical exercise, more social cohesiveness, and a decrease in stress. Find out more: Howard Frumkin, Terry Hartig, Richard Mitchell, and Sjerp De Vries' study on nature and health
The second finding is that spending 20 to 30 minutes a day in nature can dramatically lower stress levels by causing a roughly two-fold decrease in cortisol, or "the stress hormone," compared to those who spend no time in nature. Find out more: According to research by Mary Carol Hunter, exposure to urban nature lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Finding #3: By lowering stress levels, nature may help lower the risk of heart disease. Find out more: Brain Stress Indications Could Predict Future Heart Issues (Ahmed Tawakol et al., research)
Nature's economic worth
First of all, nature has substantial economic worth. Many of the ecosystem services that nature provides would be very expensive if they were delivered by people. Since many of the raw materials utilized in industry come from nature, they would not form or would not form to the degree that we would like them to in the absence of a healthy, productive natural environment. Water, fish, and lumber are a few examples. We should also be conscious of the fact that nature controls a lot of negative processes. Trees, for instance, are excellent at absorbing water and reducing flooding. A previous blog post on that may be found HERE. For instance, throughout a growth season, a large, healthy tree that is around 30 meters tall will use roughly 50 M3 of water. The expense of replacing such trees with flood defenses would be far more than that of preserving the trees in the first place. The natural environment is economically productive when natural processes like pollination, soil building, and nutrient cycling are supported.
Our well-being comes from nature.
It is also important for us to recognize the cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic significance of nature. As an avid rider, I can attest to the fact that nature's splendor is truly breathtaking. Many people have a strong sense of wellbeing when they are in the natural environment. A lot of people also give the natural world cultural and spiritual significance. This value of nature is invaluable and greatly advantageous to people.
Concluding Remark
It should be clear to you now that nature offers advantages beyond simply being "nice." It supplies us with food and other resources and controls destructive processes like flooding. It is also very valuable in terms of art, culture, and spirituality. Additionally, we realize that the natural environment may be crucial to scientific advancement and to the survival of life itself!
Mercado Wolski
We are all inspired by the amazing marvel that is the natural world. Our economy, society, and even our basic survival are supported by it. The food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we use to irrigate our crops are all products of our forests, rivers, seas, and soils. We also depend on them for a wide range of other products and services that are essential to our success, pleasure, and well-being.
Recommended to read: What If Each Rainbow Showed A Different Earth—what Would You See?
The term 'natural capital' is frequently used to describe these natural resources. From forestry and agriculture to recreation and tourism, these advantages are also quite significant to the economy. The cumulative worth of these advantages is astounding, amounting to at least US$125 trillion annually.
We frequently overuse and take nature for granted since it is free. Without considering the consequences, we build over wetlands, pollute rivers, overfish seas, and remove forests. We incur significant social and financial expenses for ourselves when we fail to consider the advantages that nature provides.
How do we regard nature?
In order to make sure that the importance of nature is central to decision-making in the UK and globally, we are collaborating with the government, industry, financial institutions, and other organizations.
We promote improved conservation results by highlighting the importance of natural capital. For instance, we can assist the government in making plans that directly benefit people and enhance the preservation of tiger habitat by demonstrating the significance of certain regions of Sumatra's tiger habitat for soil retention and carbon storage.
Where the importance of nature is having an effect?
By appreciating nature, we may change how the environment is handled and provide social and economic benefits globally in addition to improved environmental protection.
Why does nature have such significance for people?
Humans gain much from nature. Nature freely supplies the necessities for our life and improves our well-being through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
The Positive Connection Between Nature and Health
According to studies published by Texas Parks and Wildlife, Children and Nature, and the National Wildlife Federation, we now know that nature may lower stress, calm mental health issues, and fight obesity because of researchers, academics, and practitioners who study the subject. "People of all ages and abilities enjoy higher levels of health and well-being when they have nature nearby in parks, gardens, greenways, naturalized schoolyards and playgrounds, and natural landscaping around homes and workplaces," concludes the American Public Health Association. Higher levels of outdoor physical activity, stress recovery, a stronger feeling of wellbeing, and increased social capital have all been linked to having access to nature.
Three Highlights of Health and Nature Research
Finding 1: Nature may enhance our health in a variety of ways, such as better air quality, more physical exercise, more social cohesiveness, and a decrease in stress. Find out more: Howard Frumkin, Terry Hartig, Richard Mitchell, and Sjerp De Vries' study on nature and health
The second finding is that spending 20 to 30 minutes a day in nature can dramatically lower stress levels by causing a roughly two-fold decrease in cortisol, or "the stress hormone," compared to those who spend no time in nature. Find out more: According to research by Mary Carol Hunter, exposure to urban nature lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Finding #3: By lowering stress levels, nature may help lower the risk of heart disease. Find out more: Brain Stress Indications Could Predict Future Heart Issues (Ahmed Tawakol et al., research)
Nature's economic worth
First of all, nature has substantial economic worth. Many of the ecosystem services that nature provides would be very expensive if they were delivered by people. Since many of the raw materials utilized in industry come from nature, they would not form or would not form to the degree that we would like them to in the absence of a healthy, productive natural environment. Water, fish, and lumber are a few examples. We should also be conscious of the fact that nature controls a lot of negative processes. Trees, for instance, are excellent at absorbing water and reducing flooding. A previous blog post on that may be found HERE. For instance, throughout a growth season, a large, healthy tree that is around 30 meters tall will use roughly 50 M3 of water. The expense of replacing such trees with flood defenses would be far more than that of preserving the trees in the first place. The natural environment is economically productive when natural processes like pollination, soil building, and nutrient cycling are supported.
Our well-being comes from nature.
It is also important for us to recognize the cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic significance of nature. As an avid rider, I can attest to the fact that nature's splendor is truly breathtaking. Many people have a strong sense of wellbeing when they are in the natural environment. A lot of people also give the natural world cultural and spiritual significance. This value of nature is invaluable and greatly advantageous to people.
Concluding Remark
It should be clear to you now that nature offers advantages beyond simply being "nice." It supplies us with food and other resources and controls destructive processes like flooding. It is also very valuable in terms of art, culture, and spirituality. Additionally, we realize that the natural environment may be crucial to scientific advancement and to the survival of life itself!