2024-10-16 22:00:00
Making the protection of biodiversity a public health issue, in the same way as an environmental issue, is an imperative, as “healthy nature” is essential to the (sur)life of human beings. However, it is clear that contemporary societies, through their modes of existence and production, mistreat nature and distance themselves from it… often viewing the living world as a source of potential aggression from which we must defend ourselves, like the invasive tiger mosquito.
The ambition of this issue of Health in Action is to shed light on the multiple and complex links between biodiversity and health in the light of scientific publications in recent years, which echo the concept of “One Health” (or One Health) born in the 2000s: it defends the idea that the health of humans, animals, plants and ecosystems is closely linked and interdependent. It is more or less the same approach for “Planetary Health”, whose interdisciplinary work studies the environmental and social determinants of health.
Positive effects on depression and anxiety
Current knowledge on the relationships between nature, physical health and mental health of individuals is decisive. Deciphering the functioning of biodiversity allows us to better understand the harmful actions exerted by humans on natural systems, for example intensive livestock breeding, which contribute to the emergence of zoonoses, these infectious diseases passing from animals to humans. ‘man.
In this issue, are presented as follows:
the biological mechanisms at work, and the way in which plant aromas participate in the immuno-stimulation of the human body; this is why current living conditions, cut off from the living world, nourish certain chronic pathologies; “the extinction of the experience of nature”, including for inhabitants of rural areas, damaging to psychological health, while Green or blue spaces have proven positive effects on depression and anxiety, stress, concentration and even the quality of social relationships. The repercussions of the decline in biodiversity do not stop there, it fueling an “eco-anxiety” that it is becoming urgent to document. It thus appears that the well-being of populations depends largely on the quality of the environment.
“Green gentrification”, the downside of the greening of cities
A chapter of the file is devoted to the renaturation of urban areas, a strategic issue given the number of city dwellers. Several communities have already embarked on this path, for example:
in Albi, a medium-sized municipality in the South of France, a “well-being index” has been set up, which varies depending on the distance that residents have to travel to reach a park or a greenway; the objective is that, by 2026, everyone will be able to do so in less than 10 minutes on foot; in Ris-Orangis, an agglomeration of the greater Parisian suburbs with industrial wastelands, the local town planning plan protects green spaces; Allotment gardens are being developed there which are made available to individuals so that they can grow organic vegetables and fruits for their personal consumption, and which become places for socializing.
However, developing nature in the city as part of a health promotion approach faces certain difficulties. This requires dialogue within local authorities, between the environment and health departments which are not used to cooperating. These public policies also require medium-term planning.
In addition, researchers warn of the pitfalls of such an approach: a phenomenon of “green gentrification” pushes disadvantaged households out of regreened neighborhoods, aggravating social and territorial health inequalities. We must then take measures so that green and blue urban developments benefit the working classes in the same way.
Find connections with the living world
This issue offers numerous examples so that the population can indulge in more nature experiences; and it starts from a very young age. In a nursery in Seine-et-Marne, toddlers’ activities in the vegetable garden help awaken the senses and improve the quality of sleep. In a primary school in Doubs, teachers teach in the forest half a day a week, including in winter; the latter observe that the students cooperate more than in class, becoming more independent and creative. Adults can improvise as “naturalists”, for example by participating in the Vigie-Nature scientific observatories (supported by the Natural History Museum): “Living beaches”, “Operation butterflies”, “Temporal monitoring of dragonflies”, etc. . Certain practices abroad are also inspiring: in Quebec, health and social sector professionals issue “nature prescriptions” in order to encourage time spent immersed in green spaces, whether large parks. Canadian gardens or the neighborhood community garden.
Learn more
Health in action, October 2024, n°467 Preserving nature to protect the health of populationsFind out more
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