Nature and Death

There is an increasing amount of empirical work demonstrating the biophilic (Wilson, 1984) linkages between green space and the conditions and behaviors that affect our physical and mental health and well-being. The biophilia hypothesis (Kellert and Wilson, 1993) is the scientific formalization of the innate biological connection between humans and nature and the inclination for humans “… to affiliate with natural systems and processes instrumental in their health and productivity” (Kellert et al., 2008, p.vii). The wide array of potential health benefits ranges from the most fundamental of human needs to higher levels of cognitive functioning. These benefits accrue through green space being present in one’s environment and delivering important ecosystem services, through access and use of green space, and also through simple exposure and viewing greenery. Green space such as parks, forests, and greenways, or collectively green infrastructure, ¹ allows these biophilic needs to be met. The body of evidence demonstrating the importance of green spaces to the health and overall quality of life of communities has been growing, but rare among this body of work are epidemiological studies that link green space to mortality.