The Health and Social Benefits of Nature and Biodiversity Protection
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The Health and Social Benefits of Nature and Biodiversity Protection Annex 1 Jean-Pierre Schweitzer Konar Mutafoglu Patrick ten Brink Kamila Paquel Andrea Illes Giulia Gitti Marianne Kettunen Clare Twigger-Ross Jonathan Baker Yoline Kuipers Manon Emonts Liisa Tyrväinen Teppo Hujala Ann Ojala 20 Case Studies 28th April 2016 Funded by the European Commission, DG Environment (ENV.B.3/ETU/2014/0039) in collaboration with Legal notice The contents and views contained in this report are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the European Commission. Cite this report: Schweitzer J-P., Mutafoglu K., ten Brink P., Paquel K., Illes A., Gitti G., Kettunen M., Twigger- Ross C., Baker J., Kuipers Y., Emonts M., Tyrväinen L., Hujala T., and Ojala A. (2016) The Health and Social Benefits of Nature and Biodiversity Protection: Annex 1: 20 Cases. A report for the European Commission (ENV.B.3/ETU/2014/0039), Institute for European Environmental Policy, London/Brussels. Corresponding author: Patrick ten Brink – [email protected] Acknowledgements: These case studies, developed by the core author team, benefits from the case study contacts and interviewees, for which we are very grateful. The case studies were presented at the workshop held on the 27th and 28th of January 2016 in Brussels. A summary of the workshop and wider presentations are available here. Institute for European Environmental Policy London Office Brussels Office 11 Belgrave Road Quai au Foin, 55 IEEP Offices, Floor 3 Hooikaai 55 London, SW1V 1RB B- 1000 Brussels Tel: +44 (0) 20 7799 2244 Tel: +32 (0) 2738 7482 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7799 2600 Fax: +32 (0) 2732 4004 The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is an independent not-for-profit institute. IEEP undertakes work for external sponsors in a range of policy areas as well as engaging in our own research programmes. For further information about IEEP, see our website at www.ieep.eu or contact any staff member. Annex 1: 20 Case Studies 1 TERRA – Centre for Ecological Learning Eicherfeld, Luxembourg Started in 2014, TERRA (Transition and Education for a Resilient and Regenerative Agriculture) is Luxembourg’s first Community Supported Agriculture initiative. This locally based, grass roots, and community orientated model for the production of food provides opportunities for employment, volunteering, and participatory learning. It contributes to social cohesion, public well-being, and biodiversity. of labour, but it is also recreation for those involved as they enjoy the skill learning, fulfilment and teamwork it provides. This offers a welcome break to what would often be a sedentary lifestyle in the farm’s urban surroundings. An important aspect of growing genetically diverse and unmodified food free of artificial fertilizers and pesticides is their relative nutrition to much of the food that is readily available in supermarkets (Baranski et al., 2014). The team described feeling fitter and healthier since eating the food they have produced. They see local and fresh produce as an alternative to ready meals and junk food, which contain high levels of refined sugars, salts, saturated fats and artificial flavourings – and are key drivers of poor nutritional health globally. WHICH STAKEHOLDERS ARE INVOLVED? TERRA was ultimately initiated by three friends; nevertheless, it has been dependent on the support of many volunteers and professionals. TERRA’s links to CELL and SEED Savers have contributed to their success. The team have avoided financial support from institutions such as the state and private bank loans, as they aim to prove agriculture does not need to be dependent on subsidies. TERRA is based in Eicherfeld, a 1.5 hectare fruit orchard just 3 km north of the centre However, they have benefitted from donations of tools and even equipment, as of Luxembourg City. It is located between two Natura 2000 sites, Vallée de la Mamer well as the time and expertise of agriculturalists, ecologists, engineers and other et de l'Eisch (LU0001018) and Grunewald (LU0001022). Between the rows of fruit experts. They also benefitted from a one-off EUR 10,000 grant after winning the trees, TERRA are using permaculture to grow vegetables, flowers and herbs. Luxembourg start-up competition, “1, 2, 3, GO Social” (Fondation de Luxembourg, TERRA are re-evaluating how people can produce, distribute and consume food in 2015). This also provided them with support to develop a clear business plan. Luxembourg. Food systems in Europe are highly intensive in resources, carbon and Last year, ornithologists and biologists carried out a workshop to show how bird pollutants; they are also dependent on public subsidies to ensure their economic boxes can be designed to provide habitats for native birds. Recently a botanist viability. In Luxembourg, where at least 80% of vegetables are imported, most produce who carried out analysis of the farm identified rare grasses and wild flowers that travels long distances before it reaches the consumer (iFoam 2015). It is widely agreed have been given space to propagate. that urban populations are increasingly physically and emotionally disconnected with The price of the weekly baskets varies between EUR 18 to EUR 24, which are the production of food. This has implications for society in terms of diets and a demand currently given to 150 families. Membership to TERRA entitles individuals to for cheap and convenient food. In this way, both the agro-industry and the environment a share of the harvest, the price of the basket is based on the anticipated are increasingly threatened by unsustainable practices (Ingram, Ericksen, & Liverman, harvest rather than the actual content of the basket, and this reduces the risk 2010). Grass-roots urban agricultural projects present alternative perspectives to how of a failed harvest for the farm. food can not only be produced but also distributed, consumed and reimagined as a cultural as well as a market phenomenon. Close to the centre of Luxembourg City, TERRA are using permaculture and community supported agriculture (CSA) as a food system to support 150 families with food from 1.5 hectares of land, and contribute to local biodiversity. They use participatory and action based learning to support social engagement in the production of food as well as public well-being. An annual Biodiversity and Wider Benefits membership fee to the cooperative farm entitles its members a share of its weekly By applying the tenets of permaculture, nature conservation goes hand harvest, and there are also opportunities for participating in the management of the in hand with the production of food at TERRA. The team are growing a TERRA through the sale of social shares. Participation and volunteering on the farm is number of rare and heritage seeds to preserve the resilience and genetic open to anyone, and members are encouraged to take part. diversity of the agricultural sector, such as the tomato St. Pierre and the runner bean Eva. Integrated planting which gives space for non-harvested herbs, shrubs and flowers provides important habitats for key species, which also support the function of the farm, such as the bees which they keep. Similarly, efforts have been made to increase the health of the WHAT ARE THE OBSERVED HEALTH & SOCIAL BENEFITS? soil gradually decreasing its acidity and increasing its organic content by The social benefit of TERRA stem from its ability to increase social cohesion and well- applying techniques from permaculture. being through the community-orientated production of food and its consumption in the same community. TERRA provides employment and a salary for its core team who are employed full time. In addition, the project is supported by a variety of volunteers, including long term volunteers who are part of the European Volunteer Service, medium term volunteers for volunteer networks (such as HelpX, WWOOF, and Workaway) and short term volunteers from the local community. Everyone who takes part in TERRA has a different experience but many report improvements in their well-being and a reduction of stress. Many people who otherwise suffer from anxiety or social exclusion find opportunities at TERRA to engage with others and increase their self-esteem. Similarly, those who work there describe a blurring of the boundary between work and play. Clearly, working the land manually is a form A project funded by the European Commission (ENV.B.3/ ETU/2014/0039) and workshop hosted by the Committee of the Regions Moved by Nature Programme Intervention in Kuopio, Finland Moved by Nature’s primary aim was to promote the collaboration between nature and health sectors to allow vulnerable groups to benefit from access to physical activity in green spaces. Case studies and pilots were carried out in a number of areas, working with different population groups. In Kuopio City, the project succeeded in motivating inactive overweight men, at risk of type-2 diabetes, in outdoor activities and healthier food. During the 8-month pilot programme, participants’ weight reduced and their physical fitness levels improved. WHAT ARE THE OBSERVED HEALTH & SOCIAL BENEFITS? The aim of the intervention program in Kuopio was to explore new lifestyle change n e e m l a s i strategies for men at risk of type 2 diabetes through participation in outdoor activities. I Kallavesi Obesity is one of the biggest health risks in Europe, especially among men for whom P 6 PUIJONSARVI central obesity is typical. In 2008, the proportion of adults (aged 18 years and over) 1 20 PÄIVÄRANTA who were considered to be overweight or obese varied between 51.0 % and 69.3 % 31 48 30 for men and 37.0 % and 56.7 % for women among 19 EU Member States (Eurostat 32 Talvilaavu Näköalapaikka 9 PÄIVÄRANTA 2015). Usually men are more difficult to reach for lifestyle interventions (Kaasalainen Ryhmä- puutarha-alue et al.