Study of 90 cities links green space access with increased happiness
More and more cities are making tree-planting and green space allocation a key part of their urban planning strategy. Not only do green spaces mitigate the heat island effect, but they also work to purify the air and improve the health of residents. The correlation between nature and happiness has Read More...
Athens is tackling urban air pollution and heat stress with "pocket parks"
Adding greenery to urban areas can do wonders for the liveability of a city. On top of providing shade and a cooling effect, trees, and shrubs also remove pollution from the air. That’s why Greece’s capital, Athens, has embarked on a mission to green up the city by creating “pocket parks” Read More...
Rival Dutch cities create tile-removing competition to expand green space
In the Netherlands, an age-old rivalry exists between the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. This rivalry can turn ugly, especially when the city’s voetbal (soccer) teams play each other. Recently, however, the rivalry has been channeled in order to spur excitement about a new initiative Read More...
Planting more trees linked to lower rates of depression in urban areas
We frequently discuss the link between nature and mental health on The Optimist Daily. Another study has emerged solidifying this positive relationship. A study from a team of European researchers has found that more trees planted in a city correlates with fewer antidepressant Read More...
Study: Access to green space helps boost a child's IQ
Green open spaces in neighborhoods give children a place to play, but these pockets of nature could do more than just give kids a place to explore. New research shows children living near green spaces have higher IQs than children living in less green areas. The study from Hasselt University in Read More...
This guide will help you make your living space a greener place
Turning your home into a green oasis not only makes your living space more aesthetically-pleasing, but also brings subtle benefits to your mental health. The thing is, adding more greenery to your scenery isn’t as simple as buying a bunch of plants and scattering around your home. There are so Read More...
Fewer biofuels, more green space: climate action researcher calls for urgent shift
Growing and harvesting bioenergy crops—corn for ethanol or trees to fuel power plants, for example—is a poor use of land, which is a precious resource in the fight against climate change, says a University of Michigan researcher. Untampered green areas like forests and grasslands naturally Read More...