Immerse Yourself In A Forest For Better Health – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (.gov)

Report on the Contribution of Forest Ecosystems to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning Forest Benefits with Global Goals

Empirical research increasingly substantiates the quantifiable health benefits derived from human interaction with forest ecosystems. These benefits, encompassing both mental and physical well-being, directly support the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the critical role of forests in advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), repositioning forest access as a fundamental component of public health and sustainable development strategy.

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Exposure to natural forest environments provides a wide spectrum of health advantages, contributing directly to the targets of SDG 3. The practice, known as shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” in Japan, is recognized for its therapeutic effects. These benefits are observed even with short-duration exposure (as little as five minutes) to green spaces.

Documented Health Improvements

• Immune System Enhancement: Inhalation of airborne plant-derived chemicals, known as phytoncides, has been shown to increase the count and activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting tumors and viruses. Studies indicate this immune boost can persist for over 30 days following a forest visit.
• Cardiovascular Health: Time spent in forests is correlated with lower blood pressure and reduced levels of stress-related hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, mitigating risks associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Stress Reduction and Mood Improvement: Forest bathing significantly decreases scores for anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, and fatigue. This stress reduction further amplifies the positive effects on the immune system.
• Accelerated Recovery: Clinical studies have found that patients recovering from surgery with a view of green spaces experience shorter hospital stays, require less pain medication, and have fewer postsurgical complications compared to patients with views of built environments.
• Improved Cognitive Function: Natural environments can alleviate Directed Attention Fatigue. This provides a cognitive reset, enhancing the ability to focus. This effect is particularly notable in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), where exposure to nature has been shown to reduce symptoms.

Contribution to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The benefits of forests are not limited to rural landscapes. Urban green spaces are essential for achieving SDG 11, particularly Target 11.7, which calls for universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces.

The Role of Urban and Community Forests

With approximately 85% of the U.S. population residing in suburban and urban areas, community forests—comprising parks, gardens, and street trees—are the primary source of daily nature interaction. These green pockets are vital infrastructure for delivering the health and well-being benefits outlined under SDG 3 to the majority of the population. Research confirms that even viewing trees or images of trees can produce positive, though less pronounced, health effects, making urban forestry a critical public health intervention.

Contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land

The imperative to protect, restore, and sustainably manage forests under SDG 15 is directly linked to human health outcomes. The degradation of forest ecosystems presents a tangible threat to public health, underscoring the interconnectedness of environmental and human well-being.

Health Consequences of Forest Loss

The impact of forest degradation on human health was starkly illustrated by the infestation of the emerald ash borer (EAB). A study examining the consequences of this large-scale tree loss across 15 U.S. states found a significant correlation with increased human mortality. The loss of ash trees was associated with:

1. An additional 15,080 deaths related to heart disease.
2. An additional 6,113 deaths related to lung disease.

This case provides clear evidence that failing to protect terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15) directly undermines progress on ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3).

Conclusion and Areas for Further Research

The evidence strongly supports the integration of forest conservation and access into public health policy as a means of achieving key Sustainable Development Goals. While existing research, particularly from Japan, is groundbreaking, further investigation is required to understand the specific benefits of local tree species, such as those in the Northeastern U.S. Enhanced, region-specific research will allow for more targeted and effective strategies to leverage forest ecosystems for improved global health and sustainable development.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s primary focus is on the quantifiable physical and mental health benefits of interacting with forests and green spaces, such as stress reduction, lower blood pressure, and boosted immune function. It also discusses the negative health outcomes, including increased mortality from heart and lung disease, associated with the loss of trees.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article highlights the importance of green spaces within urban environments. It notes that 85% of the US population lives in suburban and urban areas and emphasizes that “gardens, parks and street trees” are vital sources of daily access to nature, connecting directly to the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The entire article is based on the value of forest ecosystems. It implicitly supports the sustainable management of forests by detailing their crucial role in human health. Furthermore, it provides a concrete example of the devastating impact of an invasive alien species (the emerald ash borer) on a forest ecosystem and, consequently, on human health, which relates to protecting biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
    
    Explanation: The article directly supports this target by demonstrating how exposure to forests can prevent and mitigate non-communicable diseases. It cites studies showing that time in forests lowers blood pressure, reduces stress-related hormones (cortisol and adrenaline), and decreases scores for anxiety and depression. It also links tree loss from the emerald ash borer to “an additional 6,113 deaths related to lung disease and 15,080 heart-disease-related deaths,” directly addressing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
    
    Explanation: The article explicitly states that “Green spaces in urban areas are just as important as rural forests” and that “Gardens, parks and street trees make up what is called an urban and community forest.” It recognizes that these spaces are the “sources of our daily access to trees” for the 85% of the population in urban areas, directly aligning with the goal of providing universal access to green spaces.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
    
    Explanation: While not calling for specific policies, the article provides a strong rationale for this target by extensively documenting the health benefits derived from forests. The negative health consequences of tree loss serve as a powerful argument for halting deforestation and managing forests sustainably.
  • Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.
    
    Explanation: The article uses the “invasion of the emerald ash borer, or EAB” as a case study. It describes the beetle as a “non-native, wood-boring beetle that kills all species of ash” and details its severe impact, thus highlighting the importance of managing and preventing the spread of invasive alien species.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 3 (Target 3.4)

  • Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease: The article explicitly provides this as an indicator by stating that tree loss due to EAB was “associated with an additional 6,113 deaths related to lung disease and 15,080 heart-disease-related deaths.”
  • Physiological health metrics: The article mentions several quantifiable indicators used in research, including levels of blood pressure, stress-related hormones (cortisol and adrenaline), and the number and activity of “natural killer cells or NK” in the immune system.
  • Mental health metrics: The article refers to the “Profile of Mood States test,” which measures scores for “anxiety, depression, anger, confusion and fatigue.” It also mentions the reduction of ADHD symptoms in children as a measurable outcome.

• For SDG 11 (Target 11.7)

  • Proportion of built-up area of cities that is open space for public use: This is implied by the article’s emphasis on the importance of “gardens, parks and street trees” within urban and suburban areas. Measuring the availability and accessibility of these spaces would be a direct indicator of progress.

• For SDG 15 (Targets 15.2 and 15.8)

  • Progress towards sustainable forest management: The health of human populations could be used as an indirect indicator. The article’s core argument is that healthy forests lead to healthy people. Therefore, improvements in health metrics (like reduced stress and lower blood pressure) could be correlated with improved forest management and access.
  • Impact of invasive alien species: The article uses the spread of the emerald ash borer and the resulting loss of ash trees as a direct indicator of the negative impact of an invasive species on a specific forest ecosystem.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dec.ny.gov