Healthy Planet, Healthy You: November 2023 Climate News To Know

Given all the research on how getting outside benefits our health, some doctors are now writing "green prescriptions" to encourage patients to spend more time outdoors. But do they work? In a study out of the UK, young pregnant women—who run an increased risk of anxiety and depression—were encouraged to do nature-based activities like forest bathing, gardening, and gentle hiking in small groups. Sure enough, the women reported feeling better and having more social support following these activities. Researchers also noted increases in their self-esteem, suggesting that time socializing in nature might be especially important for this population. (Read the study here1.)

Those bird pictures you post on Instagram aren't just a treat for your followers; the research community wants to take a peek at them, too. New research out of Bangladesh finds that social media photographs of animals can actually be a pretty effective tool for filling in gaps in biodiversity data and mapping out areas of increased conservation importance. "We'd been missing out on the distribution data of hundreds of endangered species in Bangladesh, so this is a big result," study author Shawan Chowdhury, Ph.D., said in a statement. "This could change the way scientists gather biodiversity information in the future, especially in regions where there is a lack of reliable and up-to-date structured monitoring to inform conservation efforts." (Read the research here2.)

After comparing a class taught in a typical classroom with one taught in an outdoor courtyard, researchers measured the cognitive function of 65 second- and third-graders in Italy. They found that the students had better selective attention and math calculation skills after the outdoor class than the indoor one. Children with higher self-reported emotional difficulties even had statistically significant increases in positive mood after just one lesson. (Read the research here3.)

A disturbing new report looked into how global temperature increases correspond with a rise in heat-related deaths. After crunching the numbers, researchers found that heat-related deaths of people older than 65 years have increased by 85% since the 1990s. They went a step further to determine that more than half of these deaths would have occurred were it not for human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. And given that extreme heat is not expected to let up anytime soon, 27% of cities surveyed are now concerned their health care systems won't be able to stand up to these impacts of climate change. (Read the report here4.)

Another sweeping new report, the latest National Climate Assessment, outlines even more ways that climate change is threatening public health in this country. It provides a solid overview of how droughts, food system disruptions, and extreme storms are changing American life, and how to take climate action that strengthens resilience and advances equity. It's a very worthy read, with striking visuals that demonstrate the need for large-scale transformation. (Read the report here.)

What are the top takeaways from your reflections? Bring them to next month's Healthy Planet, Healthy You, and we'll explore how to use them to set meaningful climate resolutions for the year ahead.