number of population level studies, including from the Netherlands, reveal how people with access to green space feel better and experience higher levels of well-being, especially in mental and psychological health. Many Western countries are seeing increased incidences of depression, anxiety and other psychological problems that can be reduced through greater access to open areas, green spaces and wildlife. We can expect massive increases


in urban areas worldwide in the next 40 years. There’s an opportunity now to plan in integral ways to make these places better for everyone. Failing to integrate nature into them will ramp up the public health costs later on.


What can citizens do to strengthen U.S. environmental


policies? First, every election has candidates we can vote for that are more or less knowledgeable and clued into environ- mental issues. Second, we can exercise power


in our purchasing choices. Some companies take leadership positions on environmental and sustainability issues; others don’t. With some research, shoppers can find the best companies to patronize, like those that prioritize low-carbon emissions, resource efficiencies and environmen- tal protection policies. Many of them are advocating for more sensible, long-term environmental policies. In the U.S., one of the biggest push-


backs to the new administration will be from progressive companies that know the future has to be green; buying from these businesses strengthens their role and influence. Third, we can add to the people’s


collective voice by joining campaigns and backing Earth-conscious organizations like the National Audubon Society, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Net- work and Sierra Club.


Why do you believe it’s import- ant to instill basic ecological


principles in youngsters? In the future, if fewer people under- stand the implications of climate


change, ecosystem degradation, loss of wild animals and rampant toxic pollution, it’ll be even harder to embed adequate responses. The next gen- eration should know how this planet works. Our world doesn’t succeed just on the basis of technology. It’s being run on microorganisms, the actions of forests, seas, soils and everything in the natural world. People that don’t know this can do a lot of damage.


When more young people know the


basics, it’s more likely they’ll behave in ways that reflect them. Progressive urbanization, with ever fewer people having direct experience of how nature works, is already an issue, so investing in our youth now will pay dividends in their future.


Randy Kambic is a freelance writer and editor in Estero, FL, and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.


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