Designing WELL
Health and Well-being in the Built Environment
It's important to consider two main perspectives on this topic. Firstly, people's health is closely tied to the environment and the effects of climate change. On the other hand, where we live also has a big impact on our health. Ignoring these factors would only make things worse. Climate change has a significant impact on human health and well-being. Ecopsychology looks at how people's connection to nature affects their mental health. The negative effects of climate change are making many people feel very anxious. Effective solutions involve taking action and connecting more with nature to reduce feelings of helplessness and anxiety. A survey found that many teachers and students feel anxious about climate change. Most people are worried about plastic pollution, losing plant and animal species, and climate change. People want to learn how to live in a way that doesn't harm the environment, but they believe the government needs to make big changes.
The Impact of Pollution on Our Health
Our physical health is greatly affected by pollution. EnvironmentCanada Agency estimates that 13% of deaths in Canada are linked to some form of pollution. According to the World Health Organization, around 4.2 million people worldwide die prematurely from outdoor air pollution annually and nine out of ten people breathe highly polluted air. Moreover, recent research has discovered a link between COVID-19 deaths and air pollution.
The Influence of the Built Environment
Due to urban living, we now spend about 90% of our time indoors, whether at home, in our cars, on public transport, at work, in cafes, bars, restaurants, or gyms. Research has shown that the spaces we occupy have a significant impact on both our physical and psychological health and well-being.
Air pollution causes 7 million early deaths worldwide each year. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air. 93% of 16-64-year-olds in Canada use smart technology. Excessive screen time can disrupt sleep, leading to health issues. Many household activities introduce harmful air pollutants like carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter, damp, mold, and VOCs. Damp and mold, often due to poor heating and ventilation, affect around 20% of buildings in some countries and can lead to health problems like asthma. A significant amount of heat is lost through roofs, windows, doors, walls, and the ground. Cold homes in the UK can cause more winter deaths and increase cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly in children.In terms of energy consumption at home, if we make even relatively simple sustainable home improvements such as insulation, we can create more energy efficient, controllable homes that can help both the planet and our physical and psychological well-being. So, looking to our homes is paramount, as clearly there is room for improvement. It is here that we as individuals can make a difference, and future-proofing our homes is more important now than ever, so that we can live well whitin the spaces that we are spending much more of our time.
