Stats / Evidence
Walking and Climate Change
Walking reduces car use and carbon emissions. We are facing a series of inter-related
complex problems concerning our health, transport and the environment. Climate change
and global warming are caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
polluting gases in our atmosphere.
The UK – with 1% of the world’s population - produces 2.3% of the world’s
CO2 and one-quarter of this comes from transport. Add to this the facts that 25%
of all car journeys in the UK are for less than 2 miles and that short car journeys
are the most damaging to the environment (the first kilometre produces 60% more
fumes) and it becomes clear why walking can improve the environment as well as public
health.
According to Walk21
and the International Charter for Walking
The quality and amount of walking as an everyday activity, in any given area, is
an established and unique primary indicator of quality of life.
For further information on climate change as well as links to sites with information
on how people individually can reduce the environmental impacts of their transport
choices look at
Climate change and transport
Effect of the natural environment on human health.
The benefits of greenspace on human health were first highlighted by E.O. Wilson
in his seminal book ‘The Biophilia Hypothesis’. The biophilia effect – where people feel
good out in the natural world.
Evidence of our affinity with nature is supported by research linking exposure to
the natural environment with improved mental and physical health. Walking is the
most popular of all the out-of-door activities.
Research from Holland suggests that for every 10% increase in green space there
is a reduction in health complaints equivalent to a reduction of five years of age.
(De Vries, S.Nature and health; the importance of green space in the urban living
environment. Proceedings of the symposium ‘Open space functions under urban
pressure’. Ghent: 19–21 September 2001)
The natural environment benefits health in three ways, by providing opportunities
to:
- relax from stress
- be physically active – which can improve both physical and mental health,
studies have shown that being within access to green space can increase levels of
physical activity (Giles-Corti B,Donovan RJ. Relative influence of individual, social
environmental, and physical environmental correlates of walking. Am J Public Health
2003; 93(9): 1583–1589
- socialise – people with good social networks enjoy better health
Dr William Bird in his report for the RSPB :Natural Fit outlines the effect
that green space can have on levels of physical activity.
Dr Bird has established that an urban park in Portsmouth providing 20% of total
local physical activity, could annually save the economy £4.4 million, including
£910,000 to the NHS.
Lastly research at Essex University has shown the synergistic benefits of us exercising
in the outdoors. This is worth a read all of you still exercising on a treadmill!
- Green Exercise and Health
The following presentation from the Sustainable
Development Commission outlines the links between environments and health.
Walking and Safer Communities/Crime reduction
It is widely recognised that the more people are out walking – the safer the
local environment. Concerns about safety deter many people from choosing to walk
in their neighbourhoods, yet paradoxically, the more people there are out walking
in a locality, the safer it is perceived to be.
For this reason, environments that are, or can be made, suitable for walking –
from local parks and canal towpaths to Royal and National Parks – have an
important role to play in improving the nation’s health and well-being and
sustaining physical activity. Green places to walk are an important strand in the
regeneration of local communities and neighbourhoods.
All local walking – for example, children walking to school or adults taking
part in a health walk – helps people to feel part of their community, to have
a sense of place and to respect their environment.
If you would like to comment on these ideas, or have other information to add value
to the site please
let us know.