Ireland must build more parks and open areas to improve people’s health and quality of life, according to a group of Irish doctors.

Easy access to nature can boost a person’s mental and physical health and the campaign group Irish Doctors for the Environment wants local authorities to prioritise parks and green spaces during their term of office.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Dr Ola Løkken Nordrum explained how nature can help improve a person’s health. 

“We know there’s a correlation to good access to green spaces and physical activity,” he said. 

“So, if you have a park nearby or a forest nearby, you’re more likely to exercise and get more physical activity - the obvious effects being cardiovascular, so you have better fitness. 

“Then, [there is also] the mental health side of things; it reduces stress, it increases your mood and your overall cognitive function and your cognitive development.” 

A Fallow Deer stag makes his intentions known to a herd in the Phoenix Park, Dublin in October 2022. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/Rollingnews.ie

Dr Løkken Nordrum said the group is urging councils to focus on several simple policies to increase the number of people enjoying nature.

“We want them to focus on improving the parks, building new parks in urban environments and councillors in rural councils to really support farmers when it comes to restoring natural habitats, restoring forests, bogs, et cetera,” he said. 

“And really emphasise the public health benefits of this, getting more people to spend more time in nature because we know people aren’t spending enough time in nature and aren’t getting enough exercise.” 

Smoky fuel

Dr Løkken Nordrum also backed calls for a ban on the use of smoky fuel to heat people’s homes. 

As well as contributing to climate change, the particulates in the fuel cause air pollution which kills some 2,000 people every year in Ireland. 

“I do think this is something that we need to be clear about from a public health point of view, this is something we have to do,” Dr Løkken Nordrum said. 

“Obviously, we need to support people to transition away from these fuel sources and we really need to act on clean air in Ireland. 

“They estimate that almost 2,000 people die prematurely in Ireland each year because of poor air quality - that is an unacceptable number. 

“So, we would really urge councillors to do something that may be unpopular today but their legacy will be one of health, one of nature and one of acting on climate change.” 

Opponents of a ban on smoky fuel argue that many people have no other way to heat their homes because the alternatives are too costly.

Main image: The Phoenix Park, Dublin