Health Impact of Biodiversity and Natural Heritage Changes

Canvi climàtic

RISKS DESCRIPTION

Climate change and global change have various adverse effects on biodiversity and natural heritage that may reduce the benefits of nature on people’s wellbeing and, consequently, have an unfavourable impact on their health.

Biodiversity is a guarantee of wellbeing and balance in the biosphere: it regulates flows of energy and matter, it stabilises soil, it plays a key role in atmospheric and climate processes and provides resources for life. A system with a high level of biodiversity has a higher probability of adapting to future changes and therefore greater resilience.

Taking into account the environmental problems of urban areas and the fact that the effects of climate change on biodiversity number amongst its most worrying consequences (changes are forecast in the distribution areas of species of flora and fauna, in harvests, the dynamics of plant life, etc.), fostering biodiversity (terrestrial, aquatic and marine) may contribute major benefits, improving the quality of life of citizens.

HEALH EFFECTS

The configuration and ecosystem functions of the natural environment in the future are somewhat uncertain due to the difficulties of determining how they will be affected by climate change. Health linked to changes in biodiversity and the natural environment will vary in accordance with the state of the natural environment.

Traditionally, the natural environment and biodiversity were considered to be hazardous to health due to falls, allergies and problems caused by fauna (indigenous or alien): attacks, bites, insect stings (with their associated diseases), traffic accidents, etc. In addition to these disadvantages, research is currently being conducted that sheds light on the notable positive influence of the natural environment on many aspects of health. The studies do not generally help us understand the causes, rather they seek indicative associations.

On the general population level, it can be affirmed that high levels of exposure to natural environments result in lower levels of morbidity and mortality, less overweight, a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes, a reduction in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and improvements in the health conditions for maternity and pregnancy (Lovell, 2016). Moreover, exposure to nature also improves the perceived quality of life provides greater social cohesion and support (improving wellbeing) and can foster a co-therapeutic effect, that is, a quicker recovery from certain diseases (Fernández Muerza, 2017). There is currently little evidence that links exposure to natural environments to cancer, the health of musculoskeletal systems, and allergies. The available scientific evidence is in many cases contradictory and varies in accordance with the type of exposure and the assessed population. The relationship between exposure to the natural environment (for example, carrying out activities or living in a natural environment) and the result (for example, mental illness) is highly complex and is probably affected by many factors (including lifestyle). In short, it is necessary to carry out more solid studies that enable the exact identification of the role played by natural environments on people’s health.

OBJECTIVE

General

Conserve terrestrial, aquatic and marine biodiversity.

Specific

Favour the resilience of urban green and blue spaces with respect to climate change.
Guarantee the maintenance of the ecosystem services of urban and peri-urban natural spaces for the health and wellbeing of people.
Reduce the health risks inherent to the arrival of exotic species, especially those that may be vectors of tropical viruses.

PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ensure that urban green and blue spaces are as natural as possible and favour their biodiversity in order to increase their stability and capacity to adapt to the effects of global change.
Foster connectivity between urban natural spaces and peri-urban spaces in order to favour the mobility of species and mitigate the impacts of the change.
Manage green spaces in such a way that enough green infrastructure is created for the conservation of biodiversity.
Establish actions that enable the development and conservation of beneficial species in the urban environment.
Execute measures to conserve habitats and species (as a priority for the most vulnerable ones).
Prevent and penalise all forms of deterioration that affect ecosystems.
Educate the population about the benefits of biodiversity and how the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities affect ecosystems.