The benefits of being surrounded by nature are endless, but a new study suggests that the amount of nature that an area has access to plays a role in crime rates as well. Researchers from Cardiff University found that the amount of green space or farmland accessible in people’s neighborhoods improves social cohesion, and accounted for 4% additional variance in crime rates, suggesting that nature could play a role in discouraging crime. More cities are planting trees and creating nature reserves to help improve air quality, and now the hope is the results of this study on crime will justify politicians to implement polices that increase the amount of green space available in cities. As more of the world’s population moves towards the cities, adding nature in cities is a sure way to help benefit individuals and society in the future.
Contact with nature may mean more social cohesion and less crime
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