With the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting inequity in accessing nature, Sustrans and our partners are calling for the Environment Bill to prioritise better access to the great outdoors for everyone.
Nature for health
Over the past year, with far fewer opportunities to see friends, families and colleagues indoors, more people than ever have headed to the outdoors, to walk, cycle, horse ride, canoe, hike, camp or just clear their head.
For many people, access to nature provided a lifeline for their physical and mental health.
Indeed, countless studies show that better access to nature and greener environments is associated with reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
Being outdoors is also great fun.
Unequal access to nature
In this sense, the Covid-19 outbreak brought into sharp focus just how important it is for us to have easy access to nature, and how much people value the natural habitats around them.
Unfortunately, it also highlighted that access to nature for all is far from guaranteed.
Because, while some people were able to access nature either from their doorstep or by travelling, others don’t have that opportunity.
Figures from Natural England, for example, show that 12% of children do not visit the natural environment each year.
They also show that people living in the most deprived areas of England tend to have significantly less green space than wealthier areas.
It can also be more difficult for disabled walkers, horse riders and cyclists to access nature, and we need to do more to ensure that access is equitable for everyone.
More on:
Posted On: 20/01/2021