Playbook for Urban Biodiversity
7. We can't afford it
Myth
One of the most cited reasons for being unable to invest in biodiverse green spaces is the cost of maintaining them. Perhaps a better question is – can we afford not to?
Counter arguments
Exposure to nature benefits us in a multitude of ways. Spending time in nature increases feelings of connectedness with our local environment and can encourage uptake of environmentally friendly behaviours. For example, citizen science and the positive connotations that a person associates with nature can bring improvements in wellbeing and foster a closeness with nature. Ultimately, it should be acknowledged that nature is beneficial to our physical and mental health.
Investing in nature can reduce the costs of health
High quality green spaces have the power to vastly influence people’s health and wellbeing by encouraging physical activity, facilitating recreation and connection with friends and family, and stimulating mental health gains through reduction in anxiety and depression. Staying active and accessing nature are crucial to human health, however, nowadays these must be deliberately incorporated into day-to-day activities due to our largely urban and sedentary modern lifestyles. There are great benefits from engaging in physical activity. In Victoria, 265 disability-adjusted life years and 65 incidences of diseases can be prevented for every 10,000 Victorians who become and stay active.
The number of studies examining the links between access to nature and physical and mental health have rapidly increased over the last decade66. Studies show a very wide set of benefits from access to nature. These benefits range from the benefits of physical exercise to the improvements in cognition and reduced anxiety and depression from hearing birdsong. All these benefits have real value to people and to government expenditures but the link between investments in urban biodiversity and savings on health expenditure is not often made. A recent study in South Australia showed that in 2018, approximately $140 million, or four percent of the total 2018 State healthcare budget, was saved as a result of use of metropolitan parks in South Australia. Further savings are possible if governments choose to improve the quality and accessibility of green spaces.
Opportunities for urban green space
Urban green spaces can provide much needed opportunities for mental and physical health recharge. Walking tracks and open spaces that support exercise and physical activity are in high demand in cities. These spaces need to be multifunctional, supporting human activity, urban biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services. Spaces that foster healthy ecosystems and a complement of urban species will result in further wellbeing benefits and reduce the burden of health costs on State and National budgets.