The most significant threats to the natural environment are posed by human activities. The societal improvements we have experienced over the past century have come at a major environmental cost. The natural capital and ecosystem services that we rely on have been severely impacted by changes to our ecological, biogeochemical and climate systems. This has been driven by our lifestyle choices, impacting our water, air and soil quality. Left unchecked, environmental degradation threatens to reverse the benefits created, exacerbating the decline of our critical natural capital resources. Among the many benefits we obtain from the natural environment, human health and wellbeing is among the most important, yet least understood.
Mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and distress impact up to 42% of the Irish population. The costs of poor mental health to the economy are estimated to be €11 billion each year. Furthermore, the second leading cause of death in Ireland is circulatory disease, such as heart attack, or stroke. This SFI funded project VNiC-Health (Valuing Natural Capital in Communities for Health) will focus on providing evidence from both a human health and wellbeing, and a quality natural environment point of view, helping to address two of the most critical challenges affecting society – our climate and environmental emergency, and our healthcare crisis. This project will allow Ireland to lead the way in linking societal health and wellbeing with the quality of our natural capital.
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