The Importance of Green and Blue Spaces for Mental Health

As climate change escalates, driven by rapid global urbanization, the significant benefits of outdoor environments on physical and mental health are often overlooked. Environmental actions aimed at expanding urban areas, such as deforestation, have resulted in the loss of many natural spaces, consequently impacting the environment and well-being. Throughout this post, I explore green and blue spaces and how they not only positively impact mental health but also benefit our world both environmentally and economically. I also explore how Las Vegas can be reformed to combat environmental justice and minimize the overstimulation of heat and increasing urban development. 

What are green spaces and blue spaces?

Green spaces are areas dominated by vegetation, such as parks, forests, and grasslands. They provide spaces for relaxation, socialization, and physical activity, contributing heavily to both physical and mental well-being. Blue spaces, on the other hand, are areas dominated by water, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and seas. Like green spaces, they offer benefits for health and social interaction. 

All About Green Spaces

Green spaces refer to areas covered with vegetation, such as parks, gardens, forests, and other natural or semi-natural landscapes. These spaces are often incorporated into urban planning to improve the quality of life for residents. 

Environmental Benefits

• Green spaces mitigate the urban heat island effect by providing shade and cooling, reducing energy use for air conditioning
• Vegetation in green spaces absorbs carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, improving air quality
• Green spaces absorb rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff and preventing urban flooding

Economic Benefits

• Proximity to parks and green spaces boosts property values, often by 8-20%, and in some cases up to 49% for terrace and apartment properties
• Green spaces attract residents and visitors, increasing foot traffic to nearby businesses and leading to higher retail sales and local economic activity
• Maintenance of parks, landscaping projects, and recreational activities creates jobs, supporting the local workforce

All About Blue Spaces

Blue spaces are aquatic environments or areas dominated by water. These include oceans, rivers, lakes, wetlands, canals, reservoirs, fountains, and even artificial water features like swimming pools. Blue spaces are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic effects.

Environmental Benefits

• Blue spaces moderate temperatures and improve air quality by filtering pollutants
• Water bodies in blue spaces help filter pollutants, contributing to cleaner air and water
• Wetlands and mangroves protect shorelines and slow water flows during heavy rainfall or storms

Economic Benefits

• Properties near blue spaces often see higher market values due to their aesthetic appeal and access to recreational activities
• Blue spaces attract tourists for activities like boating, swimming, and fishing, boosting local economies by generating revenue for businesses like hotels, restaurants, and tour operators
• Well-designed blue spaces reduce urban flooding by managing stormwater naturally, lowering infrastructure costs for cities, and mitigating property damage risks

Why are they important for mental health?

Green and blue spaces are vital for mental health due to their restorative and stress-reducing effects.  Studies show that living near green or blue spaces reduces anxiety and depression. For example, individuals with high levels of ambient greenness near their homes were 20% less likely to need mental health support, while access to spaces within a mile reduced risk by 7%.

Frequent visits to these spaces are linked to better well-being and lower mental distress. Blue spaces, such as oceans or fountains, promote relaxation and mindfulness, while green spaces encourage physical activity, which further mediates mental health benefits.

What role do socioeconomic factors play in the mental health benefits of green and blue spaces?

Individuals in socio-economically deprived areas experience stronger mental health improvements from proximity to green and blue spaces compared to wealthier groups. For example, living near blue spaces reduced mental health risks by 6% for the most deprived populations, creating a “protective moat” effect.

Disadvantaged communities benefit more from high-quality green spaces than mere accessibility. Poor-quality greenery may lead to isolation rather than improved mental health. However, urban green and blue spaces can mitigate socio-economic health inequalities by providing opportunities for social integration, stress reduction, and recreation, especially for those lacking private green areas.

In Las Vegas, with limited availability of both green and blue spaces due to increasing urban development and demand throughout the valley, we must integrate these spaces within our city to ensure improved mental health in residents. For instance, natural spaces in Las Vegas serve as important communal spots that foster a sense of belonging and encourage social interaction. This is particularly valuable in a city where many residents may feel isolated due to urban sprawl or transient populations.

Additionally, mountainous areas that surround Las Vegas, such as Red Rock, benefit as places where people walk and hike, helping reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving overall emotional resilience. Even short visits to parks or recreational areas with greenery in Las Vegas can lower blood pressure, improve mood, and promote mindfulness, counteracting the overstimulation and heat of the urban desert environment. 

What is climate anxiety or eco-distress? How does chronic exposure to pollution or heat affect our mental state?

Climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety or eco-distress, refers to heightened emotional, mental, or physical distress caused by concerns about climate change and environmental degradation. While it is not classified as a mental illness, it is considered a rational response to the existential threat posed by the climate crisis.

The term “eco-anxiety” was popularized by Glenn Albrecht and is often defined as a “chronic fear of environmental doom.” It can manifest in various ways, from motivating positive action to becoming paralyzing or interfering with daily life. Younger generations are particularly affected, often feeling betrayed by inadequate governmental responses to climate change.

How can we advocate for mental health through environmental action? How can we reform our system of urban development to improve the accessibility of green and blue spaces in Las Vegas?

Advocating for mental health through environmental action involves integrating strategies that address both individual well-being and systemic change.

• Promote access to nature. Encourage people to preserve green spaces such as parks and forests, which have been shown to reduce stress, depression, and improve mental health overall.
• Integrate mental health into environmental policies. Push for policies that mitigate environmental stressors such as pollution, noise, and climate-related disasters. 
• Collaborate across various sectors. Partner with organizations and agencies such as the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and the Nevada Environmental Health Association (NVEHA) to amplify advocacy efforts and promote the benefits that accompany green and blue spaces on mental well-being. Share resources and research to inform evidence-based practices that promote psychological well-being through sustainable environments.
• Push for increased accessibility to green and blue spaces in Las Vegas. The 2050 Master Plan targets planting 60,000 native, drought-resistant trees and ensuring 85% of residents live within a ⅓-mile of green space by 2050. 
• Strategize the placement of new recreational areas. Prioritize parks being built near residential areas, markets, and transit hubs, especially in underserved neighborhoods throughout Las Vegas to minimize inequities exacerbated by systemic discrimination.

Here are additional organizations that promote sustainable environmental health outcomes in Las Vegas:

• Southern Nevada Conservancy, a non-profit organization that serves the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area that aims to preserve the public lands in Nevada

https://southernnevadaconservancy.org 

• Desert Wetlands Conservancy, a non-profit and non-partisan organization that aims to educate people on the Las Vegas Wash’s wetlands that help maintain the ecosystem and restore natural habitats

http://www.desertwetlands.org

• Colorado River Water Users Association, a non-profit and non-partisan organization that advises and encourages study on ways to protect and safeguard the interests of all who use the Colorado River

https://crwua.org

• Friends of Red Rock Canyon, a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance Red Rock Canyon through volunteerism, philanthropy, and education 

https://www.friendsredrock.org

Sources

Yale School of the Environment

https://environment-review.yale.edu/creating-community-role-green-and-blue-spaces-cities

National Library of Medicine

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34501598/

National Library of Medicine

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4556255/

Sustainable Earth

https://sustainable-earth.org/green-spaces/

UN Environment Programme

https://unepccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/green-and-blue-spaces.pdf

Green City Times

https://www.greencitytimes.com/5-benefits-of-blue-spaces-in-urban-areas/

Lynkme Smart Cards

https://www.lynkmesmartcards.com/post/the-green-premium-how-urban-green-spaces-elevate-property-values

Springwater Parks and Community

https://www.springwaterpcd.org/the-value-of-parks-and-recreation

The Land Trust

https://thelandtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/The-economic-value-of-our-green-spaces.pdf

Trust for Public Land

https://www.tpl.org/blog/dollars-and-sense-economic-benefits-of-community-green-spaces

National Institute for Health and Care Research

https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/local-green-spaces-are-linked-with-better-mental-health/

National Library of Medicine

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5663018/

Scientific Report

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-17089-z

Cornell Health

https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/climate-change

Yale Sustainability

https://sustainability.yale.edu/explainers/yale-experts-explain-climate-anxiety

The Lancet Planetary Health

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00278-3/fulltext

Environmental Health Perspectives

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP9889

World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/news/item/03-06-2022-why-mental-health-is-a-priority-for-action-on-climate-change

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2021/3/feature/3-feature-mental-health

Global Mental Health Action Network

https://gmhan.org/environment-working-group