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You are here: Home > News > Yet More Evidence States Natural Environment Equals Wellbeing

• Yet more evidence states natural environment equals wellbeing

• Date:

  27th February 2008

• Contact:

  Sarah Egerton

• Organisation:

  The Civic Trust

A new publication backs up the case for the natural environment being inextricably linked to our health, well-being and prosperity.

The prospectus ‘Landscapes for Living’, launched by the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership (WMBP) argues the economic and social case for landscape scale conservation with a strong emphasis on the benefits of a high quality natural environment in supporting economic growth and investment. Its focus is the whole West Midlands region, but is relevant to the entire country.

The Prospectus, created in consultation with organisations across the West Midlands, describes how fundamental an environment rich in wildlife is to the wellbeing of the whole population.  A high quality, natural environment supports the economy by attracting employers, visitors and inward investment.  At the same time, it improves our quality of life through providing cities, towns and villages with space to relax and exercise, natural cooling, water storage which helps prevent flooding and a greener, living landscape.

However climate change poses new threats with rising temperatures and different weather patterns.  Some species will be unable to adapt unless we expand the areas of good quality habitat and remove barriers which prevent movement by creating a network of wildlife areas across the region.

Mike Kinghan, chair of WMBP says: “For too long the natural environment has been regarded as something apart from people and their living, working lives,”

“We aim to put it back where it belongs – as fundamental to our health, well being and prosperity. We must all work with nature to secure a healthy, sustainable future for ourselves and our children.”

Natural England welcomes the strategy. Rob Williams, head of regional policy and partnerships, said: “Working at a ‘landscape scale’ is essential if the region is to meet the government’s England Biodiversity Strategy aims of halting biodiversity loss and adapting our countryside to climate change.

“The prospectus shows where partners can look for opportunities to join up actions that will not just benefit the environment, but grow real jobs and improve the quality of life for everyone in the region.”

You can download the prospectus at: http://www.wmbp.org/assets/userfiles/000427.pdf