Last week, I came across this eye-popping infographic on nature and us. Apparently, nature is good for you. It can make you healthier, smarter, fitter, and nicer. Just two minutes outside can take the edge off your stress. Not that this is news to many cottage-happy Canadians and countryside-loving Brits. That nature is awesome is a moot point to those who can’t get enough of it (that, or they’re too busy relaxing lakeside or frolicking on the moor to bother reading about it).
In fact the UK takes its natural areas pretty seriously. Access to the countryside has long been a controversial topic in Britain, with various pieces of legislation, such as the poetically titled Right to Roam Bill, proposed over the years. There is even a Ramblers Association (of the walking, not talking, variety). And if you fancied a visit to the UK, you might start with this comprehensive online guide to enjoying all that the British countryside has to offer.
In recent years, UK Government has also commissioned several studies to see what the country’s natural spaces are worth—literally. The findings are striking. Nature is worth billions of pounds to the British economy. The wildlife covered by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) alone is worth roughly £1.5 billion per year to the UK. Put another way, every £1 spent on maintaining the Sites delivers over £8 in benefits to society. Even the health benefits of living with a view of a green space are worth up to £300 per person per year.
All this makes, I think, a solid case for keeping it green. Protect nature, and it repays us over and over, in food and clean water, in places to learn and play, in gorgeous places that inspire. And hey, it makes us happy.
On that note, I’m going on a ramble. See you outside!
