Nature's Value Proposition and the End of Human Adolescence Brett M. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Nature's Value Proposition and the End of Human Adolescence

Brett M. Powell

Brett M. Powell

Lifespan….exci-ng, ¡reflexive, ¡indestruc-ble, ¡ imaginary ¡audience, ¡diffusion ¡of ¡responsibility ¡ ¡ We are experiencing the

end of adolescence.

Brett M. Powell

A tumultuous period of intellectual expansion, risk taking, and an attitude of invincibility

Brett M. Powell

intolerable beauty series

Brett M. Powell

Source: James Balog documentary, Chasing Ice, 2014

CO2 Temp

Brett M. Powell

Brett M. Powell

Man. Our only hope.

Brett M. Powell

Technology and culture are sounding the alarm

Earth looks fragile from the surface of mars. Modern storytelling shaping culture

Brett M. Powell

Brett M. Powell

Brett M. Powell

Nearly 20 million; greater than the population

• f NYC in 2013

Update: +600,000 in three weeks

Brett M. Powell

Speaking of New York City,

The 2014 People’s Climate March

2646 solidarity events in 162 countries

Were coordinated using communications technology ¡

Brett M. Powell

For the first time in 25 years, scientists have made a major health breakthrough with the discovery of a new type of antibiotic that may be more effective than existing drugs at treating infectious diseases, such as Tuberculosis.

And it was found in a pile of soil.

Brett M. Powell

Ephedra sinica (Sudafed) Willow bark (aspirin) Penicillium mold (penicillin) Opium poppy (morphine, codeine)

Brett M. Powell

The more scientists look, the more they seem to discover.

Increasing evidence suggests that relatively tiny doses of naturally occurring lithium may have beneficial effects, including: significant decreases in suicide rates, increased cognitive functioning, and mood stabilization.

Brett M. Powell

An antiquated response to chronic stress

Brett M. Powell

The old response…

Shock

Resistance to stress

Stage 1 Alarm Stage 2 Resistance Stage 3 Exhaustion Normal level

• f resistance

to stress

Recovery

Brett M. Powell

Chronic Stress

a modern health issue

Shock

Resistance to stress

Stage 1 Alarm Stage 2 Resistance Stage 3 Exhaustion Normal level

• f resistance

to stress

Sustained

Brett M. Powell

Brett M. Powell

Imagine a readily available therapy that could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost and with no known side effects.

We’ve always suspected that being in nature promoted improved cognitive functioning and overall well-being, and these effects are now being documented.

Poten&al ¡Natural ¡Treatment ¡for ¡A1en&on-­‑Deficit/Hyperac&vity ¡Disorder: ¡Evidence ¡From ¡a ¡Na&onal ¡Study ¡ Frances ¡E. ¡Kuo, ¡PhD ¡& ¡Andrea ¡Faber ¡Taylor, ¡PhD ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡Conclusions. ¡Green ¡outdoor ¡se?ngs ¡appear ¡to ¡reduce ¡ADHD ¡symptoms ¡in ¡children ¡across ¡a ¡wide ¡range ¡of ¡individual, ¡residen-al, ¡and ¡ case ¡characteris-cs. ¡ ¡ ¡

Brett M. Powell

Your concentration will improve ADHD studies have suggested that outdoor exercise could have positive effects on the

• condition. If you have trouble concentrating — as many do — you might see if some outdoor

activity, the greener the better, helps. You may heal faster University of Pittsburgh researchers reported in 2005 that spinal surgery patients experienced less pain and stress and took fewer pain medications during their recoveries if they were exposed to natural light. Your vitamin D levels will go up Epidemiologic studies are suggesting it may have protective effects against everything from

• steoporosis to cancer to depression to heart attacks and stroke.

You'll get more exercise (especially kids) If you make getting outside a goal, that should mean less time in front of the television and computer and more time walking, biking, gardening, cleaning up the yard, and doing other things that put the body in motion. You'll be happier (especially if your exercise is ‘green') Light tends to elevate people's mood, and there's usually more light available outside than

• in. In 2010 the English scientists reported results from a meta-analysis of their own

studies that showed just five minutes of green exercise resulted in improvements in self- esteem and mood.

Brett M. Powell

View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery Investigations of aesthetic and affective responses to outdoor visual environments have shown a strong tendency for American and European groups to prefer natural scenes more than urban views that lack natural elements. Views of vegetation, and especially water, appear to sustain interest and attention more effectively than urban views of equivalent information rate. Because most natural views apparently elicit positive feelings, reduce fear in stressed subjects, hold interest, and may block or reduce stressful thoughts, they might also foster restoration from anxiety or stress.

• Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D

“there is suggestive evidence that aspects of the designed environment exerts significant effects on clinical outcomes for patients”

• Dr. Haya Rubin et al., 1998 – John’s Hopkins Medical School

Don’t forget the positive impact on healthcare staff and the delivery of their services

Suggested art waterscapes: calm or non-turbulent water Landscapes: visual depth or open foreground trees with broad canopy savannah landscapes verdant vegetation Flowers: healthy and fresh familiar gardens with open foreground Effects of Healthcare Environmental Design on Medical Outcomes,

• Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D

Access to nature (gardens) and natural imagery impact health outcomes by lowering stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure/heart rate, shorter hospital stays, lower doses of pain medication, and more.

Patient Recovery & Health Outcomes

An overwhelming majority (94%) of patients felt that some access to plants inside the therapy area would be positive.

• Bhargav ¡Goswami, ¡2011 ¡

Brett M. Powell

Studies have reported that 50% to 80% of patients with SAD get significant relief from depressive symptoms after bright light therapy. Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School

Researchers at the University of Essex in England are advancing the notion that exercising in the presence

• f nature has added benefit, particularly for mental
• health. Their investigations into "green exercise," as

they are calling it, dovetails with research showing benefits from living in proximity to green, open spaces.

• Harvard University

”The favored living place of most peoples is a prominence near water from which parkland can be viewed," and that "in the U.S. and Canada, more people visit zoos and aquariums than attend all professional athletic events combined.”

• Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D, Harvard University

Research suggests that exercise is more beneficial— leading to enhanced tranquility, and more relief of anxiety and depression—when it occurs in natural settings, like parks, rather than along urban streets

• Bodin and Hartig, 2003

Brett M. Powell

Health studies have shown that contact with nature— with plants, with animals, with pleasing landscapes, and with wilderness- offers a range of medical benefits. These include lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, enhanced survival after a heart attack, more rapid recovery from surgery, fewer minor medical complaints, and lower self-reported stress. In children with attention disorders and in teens with behavioral disorders, contact with nature has resulted in significant improvement

• Frumkin, 2001

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes daily of unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development. Cal Tech’s Jet Propulsion Lab interviews all candidates about their play experiences as children, because they’ve found a direct correlation between hands-on play and superior problem solving skills.

Source: Whole Child Report, National Wildlife Federation Brett M. Powell

In the last two decades, childhood has moved indoors. The average American boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes in unstructured outdoor play each day, and more than 7 hours each day in front of an electronic screen. This shift profoundly impacts the wellness of our nation’s

• kids. Childhood obesity rates have more than doubled the last 20 years; the United States has

become the largest consumer of ADHD medications in the world; and pediatric prescriptions for antidepressants have risen precipitously.

• Outdoor play increases fitness levels and builds active,

healthy bodies, an important strategy in helping the one in three obese American kids get fit.

• Spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping

protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and more

• Being outside improves distance vision and lowers the

chance of nearsightedness.

• Exposure to natural settings may be widely effective in

reducing ADHD symptoms.

• Schools with environmental education programs score higher
• n standardized tests in math, reading, writing and listening.
• Exposure to environment-based education significantly

increases student performance on tests of their critical thinking skills.

• Children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green

spaces.

• Play protects children’s emotional development whereas

loss of free time and a hurried lifestyle can contribute to anxiety and depression

• Nature makes you nicer, enhancing social interactions, value

for community and close relationships. Source: Whole Child Report, National Wildlife Federation

Brett M. Powell

Outdoor recreation programs build confidence, leadership, and reconnect today’s youth with the outdoors

Brett M. Powell

Camp David is the President’s country residence. Located in Frederick County, Maryland, Camp David has

• ffered Presidents an opportunity for

solitude and tranquility.

Brett M. Powell

Our national parks, including Sequoia, Carlsbad Caverns, and the Grand Canyon, provided battle-weary soldiers with rest and recuperation. Mount McKinley National Park in Alaska was transformed into an Army recreation camp where soldiers could fish, hike, ski, skate, and relax.

1.6 million soldiers found solace in a national park

in 1943 – one-quarter of the parks' total visitors.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's deep love of the outdoors was inspired by boyhood hunting, fishing and hiking expeditions on his family's country estate in

New York

Brett M. Powell

Brett M. Powell